Fans Boo Marcus Mariota; Eagles QB Controversy Brewing?

The backup quarterback spot looks to be more open than previously thought with rookie Tanner McKee outperforming veteran Marcus Mariota so far this preseason.

It wasn't the original plan, but to some, rookie Tanner McKee looked like the clear-cut backup quarterback in the Philadelphia Eagles preseason matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night in an 18-18 tie at Lincoln Financial Field.

McKee played the entire second half, completing 10 of his 18 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. He was drafted by Philadelphia in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

The first half belong to veteran Marcus Mariota, who threw for 86 yards and an interception on 9-of-17 passing. The Eagles signed the former Heisman Trophy winner to a one-year $5 million deal this offseason. ... and Philly fans were not pleased, unleashing some boos at the veteran newcomer.

Mariota had nothing but good things to say about McKee after the game against the Browns

Philadelphia has been known to take the backup quarterback spot very seriously in recent years. Most notably, the Eagles won Super Bowl LII with a backup quarterback in Nick Foles. They also drafted now-star quarterback Jalen Hurts to back up Carson Wentz, just one year after giving Wentz the biggest guaranteed contract in NFL history at the time.  

Last season, Hurts went down with an injury with three games to go in the regular season. His backup, Gardner Minshew, started the next two games for Philadelphia in relief, losing to the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints. 

Through two preseason games, McKee has gone 20-of-38 for 295 passing yards and a touchdown. Mariota is 16 for 28 with 134 passing yards and an interception.

After the game, head coach Nick Sirianni maintained that Mariota will be the backup for the foreseeable future.

"You're way too early on that," Sirianni said. "Marcus is our backup and we're pleased with the way Tanner is playing."

Despite Sirianni's reassurance, fans - in addition to booing - still took to social media to call for a change after the game. 

The Eagles will have one more preseason game next Thursday against the Indianapolis Colts before the regular season starts. ... meaning one more chance to kick around the concept of a "quarterback controversy.''

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