The New Orleans Saints are currently dealing with a serious quarterback issue, as starting QB Derek Carr may need season-ending shoulder surgery. This potential setback leaves the team, and newly appointed head coach Kellen Moore, scrambling for a viable replacement under center. Moore, who recently helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory as their offensive coordinator, now faces a tough decision regarding who will lead his offense.
Sports Illustrated’s Ed Kracz has suggested that the Eagles could support Moore by trading backup quarterback Tanner McKee to the Saints. Given Moore’s familiarity with McKee from their time in Philadelphia, Kracz believes this could be a logical move. The Saints’ current quarterback room includes Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Ben DiNucci—none of whom offer proven experience or a clear starting-caliber skill set.
Kracz proposed the trade on April 13, noting that McKee has outperformed the options currently available in New Orleans. Though McKee has only seen limited action, he’s completed nearly 67% of his passes in regular-season play, throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions. His consistent preseason performance over the past two years also bolsters his case as a promising young quarterback.
For New Orleans, acquiring McKee would represent a relatively low-risk move with significant upside, especially considering his established relationship with Moore. Their past collaboration could accelerate McKee’s adaptation to the Saints’ system and even position him as a potential starter if Carr remains out for the rest of the season.
From Philadelphia’s point of view, moving McKee could open the door for them to gain draft assets while still maintaining solid depth behind starting QB Jalen Hurts. The Eagles recently added Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR) in a trade with the Cleveland Browns that also brought in a 2025 fifth-round pick. Though letting go of McKee might be tough, Kracz argued that with Hurts entrenched as the starter, McKee is somewhat of a luxury.
Thompson-Robinson arrives with more NFL experience than McKee but a less consistent record. Drafted by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, he played in 15 games, starting five. He completed 121 of 230 passes for 880 yards, throwing just one touchdown against 10 interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 187 yards on 35 attempts.
Thompson-Robinson, who played college football at UCLA, brings dual-threat capabilities and has expressed excitement about joining the Eagles. He even shares a personal connection with Hurts through their mutual interest in chess. Whether Philadelphia fully trusts DTR as the backup remains uncertain, but McKee’s value on the trade market will be something to watch closely in the coming weeks.
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