The Philadelphia Eagles plan to start little-used quarterback Tanner McKee and rest Jalen Hurts and several other starters in the regular-season finale at home Sunday against the Washington Commanders, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.
The Eagles (11-5) cannot fall any lower than their current No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs but would rise to No. 2 if they win and the Chicago Bears (11-5) lose to the Detroit Lions. Both games kick off at the same time late Sunday afternoon.
Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday that the team would rest several starters and were “nearing” a decision, but he wanted to talk to players first at a team meeting.
McKee, 25, has appeared in three games this season as relief for Hurts and completed all three pass attempts for 33 yards. He is 33 of 48 for 356 yards and four touchdowns in five career games, winning his lone start 20-13 against the New York Giants to close out the 2024 regular season.
The Eagles selected McKee in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Stanford.
“When you see Tanner, he’s really good about knowing where to go with the football, seeing the defense and being able to deliver things accurately,” Sirianni said. “It’s a great room where those guys feed off each other and learn from each other.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported that the Eagles plan to make 10 or so key starters inactive and suit up another 10 or so on the active roster but hop they rest against the Commanders (4-12), who lost at home to the Eagles 29-18 on Dec. 20.
Among those likely to rest are Hurts, running back Saquan Barkley, receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert, several offensive linemen and a host of defensive starters, per the Inquirer report.
