Eagles Backup QB - Who Stands Ready

When you think about a professional football team, the main person calling the plays on offense, the quarterback, often gets all the attention, and for good reason. They are the heart of the team's attack, the one who guides the offense down the field. Yet, there's another position, perhaps not as glamorous, but every bit as important, that often stays in the shadows until a moment of need arises. That's the backup quarterback, a player who must be ready at a moment's notice to step into the bright lights, and in the case of a team like the Philadelphia Eagles, that role carries a lot of weight, you know, given the high stakes involved in their season.

The Eagles, a team that has seen its share of ups and downs, particularly when it comes to who is under center, definitely understands the deep value of having someone reliable waiting in the wings. It’s not just about filling a spot; it's about making sure the team can keep moving forward, even if the primary signal-caller has to miss some time. This is a team that has, as a matter of fact, gone far in recent years, with their main quarterback, Jalen Hurts, leading the way, but they also know that an injury could happen at any moment, changing everything in an instant.

So, who are the individuals who might be asked to step in for the Eagles if Jalen Hurts were to be sidelined? The team has made some interesting moves to prepare for such a situation, bringing in some fresh faces and holding onto others who have been developing. It’s a mix of experience and youth, all hoping to prove they can lead the squad if the call comes. We'll take a look at who's on the depth chart and what their roles might be, and perhaps even consider what their presence means for the overall plans of the team, you see.

Table of Contents

The Importance of the Eagles Backup QB

Having a dependable person ready to take over as the quarterback, should the starter be unavailable, is, in some respects, one of the most critical parts of putting together a successful football team. For the Philadelphia Eagles, this has been a lesson learned and re-learned over the years. A team can have a truly gifted main quarterback, like Jalen Hurts, who can lead them to big victories, but if that person gets hurt, the entire season could be put in jeopardy if there isn't a capable individual ready to step in. It's a position that asks for a lot, not just in terms of physical skill, but also in terms of mental toughness and the ability to quickly get up to speed with the team's strategies and the opponents' tendencies. So, it's pretty much about being prepared for anything that might come along.

The importance of this particular position becomes especially clear when a team is making a deep run into the postseason, say, heading into a championship game. The Eagles, for instance, had three quarterbacks on their depth chart as they prepared for an NFC Championship game against the Washington Commanders. This really shows that they understand the need for multiple options, just in case something unexpected happens. The idea that a backup could potentially play in a Super Bowl, if the main quarterback were to get injured, truly highlights how vital this role is. It's not just about filling a spot on the roster; it's about having someone who can keep the championship dreams alive, which is, honestly, a lot of pressure for anyone to handle.

Who is the Eagles' Primary Backup QB?

For the 2024 season, the Philadelphia Eagles have apparently made a clear choice regarding who will be their main backup quarterback. The team, as a matter of fact, brought in Kenny Pickett through a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This move indicates that they see him as the person who would step in behind Jalen Hurts. Kenny Pickett, for his part, has been in the league for a little while, and he has, you know, seen some action on the field, though perhaps not as much as some might expect for a player in his position. He even started one game in Week 17, which shows he has some experience leading a team in a live game situation, so that's something.

Looking at some specific moments, Kenny Pickett was, in fact, in line to be the backup quarterback for a Sunday matchup against Green Bay. He also served as the Eagles' backup quarterback in the first two playoff rounds, which is a pretty big deal. Even though he had yet to take an NFL snap at one point, the plan was for him to be the team's top backup if Jalen Hurts was unable to play. This shows a real trust in his ability to be ready for the big moments, and, in a way, it speaks to the intangibles that make a good backup quarterback – the readiness, the calm under pressure, and the ability to quickly adapt to what the team needs from him.

What About Tanner McKee's Role as an Eagles Backup QB?

When we talk about the Eagles' quarterback situation, it's pretty clear that Tanner McKee also plays a part in the overall picture. He's a younger player, someone the Eagles drafted in the sixth round back in 2023, coming from Stanford. The team, it seems, really liked what they saw from Tanner McKee during the last season, and there was a thought that he would likely serve as Jalen Hurts' primary backup at one point. This suggests that he made a good impression and showed some real promise during his time with the team, which is, in fact, what you hope for from a player you've brought in through the draft.

However, with the addition of Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee's spot on the depth chart has, naturally, shifted a bit. He is now listed as the No. 3 quarterback for the Eagles. This doesn't mean he's not important; it just means there are a couple of people ahead of him in the pecking order. He's still a relatively new face to the professional game, being a rookie, and he was a starter for three years during his time at Stanford, which shows he has experience leading a college offense. So, while his immediate role might be further down the list, his presence is still part of the team's strategy for having options at the quarterback position, you know, for the future and for immediate needs.

Will Grier - A New Face Among the Eagles Backup QBs

Beyond Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee, the Eagles have also brought in Will Grier, who joined the team as a free agent signing. This adds another layer to their quarterback depth. Having three quarterbacks on the roster, as they did heading into that NFC Championship game, is a common practice for many teams, but it also shows a deliberate approach to ensuring they have enough people ready to go. Grier's arrival, pretty much, gives them another option, another set of skills and experiences to draw upon if needed. It's about having as many capable individuals as possible to cover the most important position on the field, so that's a key part of their planning.

His signing means that the Eagles have a mix of youth and a bit more experience among their backup options. While Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee are considered rookies in some contexts, Grier has been around the league a little longer, which could bring a different kind of presence to the quarterback room. His role would, you know, likely be to provide additional support and be ready in case both Hurts and Pickett were unavailable. This kind of depth is what teams strive for, making sure they are as prepared as they can be for the unexpected twists and turns of a long football season, or, you know, even just a single game.

How Do the Eagles Handle Their Backup Quarterbacks?

The Eagles have, over time, shown a certain knack for finding and developing quarterbacks who can step up when their name is called. There's a history there, a kind of pattern of success with people who weren't necessarily the main starter. We've seen it with players like Jeff Garcia, then Nick Foles, and even Jalen Hurts himself started out as a backup before taking over the primary role. And now, Kenny Pickett is part of that conversation. This suggests that the team has a good system in place, or at least a good eye for talent, when it comes to finding individuals who can perform under pressure, even when they haven't been getting all the practice reps with the first team, which is, honestly, a pretty impressive thing.

This approach to handling their backup quarterbacks means they value certain qualities beyond just raw talent. It's about the ability to learn quickly, to fit into the team's overall strategy, and to maintain a positive attitude even when not playing regularly. The fact that the Eagles have continued to find success with these individuals, as they did by claiming victory in their final two games of 2024, sometimes with a backup involved, speaks volumes. It's almost as if they have a "quarterback factory," as some might call it, which has, in fact, paid off for them over a long period of time, giving them a real edge.

A Look Back - Eagles' Success with Backup Quarterbacks

The history of the Eagles and their backup quarterbacks is, in a way, pretty interesting. Think about Jeff Garcia, who came in and helped keep things going. Then there's Nick Foles, who, you know, famously led the team to a Super Bowl victory after the starter went down. Jalen Hurts himself, as I was saying, started his time with the team as a backup before he became the main person under center. And now, Kenny Pickett is the latest name to be mentioned in this long line of individuals who have stepped into that important role. This consistent ability to get good performances from these players really shows a strength in the team's overall approach to managing its roster and preparing for any situation that might come up.

This long line of successful backup quarterbacks, from Garcia to Foles to Hurts to Pickett, points to something special within the Eagles organization. It's not just luck; it's about identifying the right people and then giving them the support they need to be ready. This kind of consistent success with people in the backup role is, actually, something that not every team can claim. It highlights the importance of scouting, coaching, and having a culture where every player, regardless of their spot on the depth chart, is ready to contribute at a moment's notice. It's a testament to the team's philosophy, really, that they have been able to keep things going even when facing unexpected challenges.

The Depth Chart - Eagles Backup QB Situation

So, looking at the current setup, the Eagles have, as of now, Jalen Hurts as their undisputed main quarterback. Behind him, as we've discussed, Kenny Pickett has been brought in and is in line to be the primary backup. Then, further down the list, we find Tanner McKee, who is the No. 3 quarterback on the team's depth chart. And, of course, Will Grier is also part of this group, adding another layer of depth. This means they have several individuals who could, you know, potentially take snaps if the need arises, offering different skill sets and levels of experience to the coaching staff. It's a pretty full group, honestly, which gives them options.

The fact that the Eagles have multiple quarterbacks listed on their roster, especially as they head into important games, simply highlights their commitment to being prepared. For example, the text mentions that the Eagles were sending their backup quarterback to Cleveland for a quarterback and a draft pick, which shows that the situation is always, more or less, in flux. This kind of trading and moving of players is a normal part of how teams manage their rosters, and it means that the people filling these roles can change. But the constant is the need for a capable person to be ready to step in, no matter who that person happens to be at any given moment, you see.

The Significance of a Solid Eagles Backup QB

The significance of having a truly solid backup quarterback for the Eagles cannot be overstated. It's a position that, perhaps, doesn't always get the headlines, but it holds a tremendous amount of weight, especially for a team that has been as successful as the Eagles have been, often being the No. 1 seed in their conference. The ability to keep winning, even if the primary quarterback is out, is what separates the good teams from the truly great ones. It's about maintaining momentum, keeping the team's goals within reach, and ensuring that all the hard work put in by every player and coach doesn't go to waste because of one unfortunate turn of events. So, it's pretty much about peace of mind for the whole organization.

This is the importance of the position, and it truly speaks to the various qualities that make a good backup: the readiness, the knowledge of the plays, the ability to inspire confidence in the teammates, and the mental toughness to step into a high-pressure situation without missing a beat. The Eagles have, you know, historically shown a real understanding of this, and their continued success with individuals like Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee, and Will Grier, who are all ready to step in, simply reinforces that understanding. It means the team is always looking ahead, preparing for any possibility, and making sure they have the right people in place to keep their championship aspirations alive, in a way.

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Clancy Tucker's Blog: 1 February 2017 - FACTS ABOUT EAGLES

Clancy Tucker's Blog: 1 February 2017 - FACTS ABOUT EAGLES

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