Did Tanner McKee’s preseason opener hurt his trade value?

Tanner McKee has already shown enough in the NFL to make the idea of trading him intriguing. He has shown moxie in relief and as a starter. Fair or unfair, that makes the Philadelphia Eagles‘ preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens feel particularly disappointing. It is easy to forget that McKee’s first NFL game action came in Week 17 of his second season in 2024, when he replaced Kenny Pickett against the Dallas Cowboys and threw two touchdown passes on just three completions.

The following week, he completed 27 of 41 passes with two touchdowns in a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants as Philadelphia’s starter. His 2025 season was quieter, which was understandable for a third-string quarterback.

McKee made only one start, completing 21 of 40 passes with one touchdown and one interception in a 24-17 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 18. Perspective is necessary, though. The Eagles weren’t playing their starters that week, and there wasn’t much to play for.

The circumstances made the game feel somewhat like a preseason contest, even if it technically counted. Saturday’s loss in Baltimore carried even less consequence. However, McKee’s performance still mattered because Philadelphia is evaluating him alongside Andy Dalton and may also be considering his value on the trade market.

There has been plenty of discussion surrounding Philadelphia’s reported attempts to trade McKee, including speculation that the Eagles’ asking price in draft capital (a second-rounder) may have been too high for interested teams.

That raises a more important question now: Has McKee’s market cooled, and did his uneven showing against Baltimore make it harder for the Eagles to find a willing trade partner?

McKee went 6-for-10 for 35 yards against the Ravens, posting a 66.7 passer rating while failing to lead a scoring drive. He was also sacked once. Dalton was actually worse. Neither took a step forward in the race for a job as Jalen Hurts‘ backup, but for McKee (and possibly an Eagles team seeking a trade partner), the timing of a lackluster performance was less than ideal.

McKee is a former sixth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, and according to Over The Cap, he is scheduled to earn $1,191,630 this season while carrying a $1,145,000 dead cap hit. Dalton, meanwhile, counts as $1.5 million against Philadelphia’s salary cap. The financial difference isn’t massive, but the Eagles have to weigh salary, roster space, developmental value, and whatever draft compensation they might receive in a trade. Also, neither player is signed past this season.

Philadelphia still has time to make its decision. McKee will have additional preseason opportunities to remind the Eagles and the rest of the league why his name generated trade interest in the first place, but every quiet performance narrows the window.

McKee still has time to change the conversation. The Eagles don’t need to move him right now. They certainly won’t give away a quarterback they once believed could command significant draft compensation simply because they feel pressured to make a deal. Still, the longer he goes without separating himself from Dalton or reminding the rest of the league of the promise he showed in 2024, the harder it becomes to justify a lofty asking price.

For McKee and the Eagles alike, the next few preseason opportunities could determine whether the trade window remains open or quietly closes. If he wants to make the case that he is worth more to Philadelphia’s depth chart, or to that of another interested team, this may be his best chance to prove it.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Did Tanner McKee’s preseason opener hurt his trade value?