Tanner McKee benching reminds Jets what a mistake offseason trade would have been

The New York Jets didn't have a plethora of veteran quarterback options to select from in the 2026 offseason, but they should be very happy with how their decision to bring Geno Smith back. Fans who suggested Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee as their top option may have some egg on their face.

McKee, who spent years as Jalen Hurts' backup, impressed in spot starts when playoff positioning had been secured. McKee was finally given a chance to take the bull by the horns after Hurts was ruled out, and he has responded by losing all of his starts. The Eagles have already made a change, as Joe Milton will be installed as the starting quarterback against the New York Giants.

McKee was the subject of some offseason trade rumors, often with some major NFL Draft capital attached. While the Eagles have already kicked McKee to the curb, the depth of failure the Jets would have signed up for if they went with the gargantuan Stanford product over Smith has been crystallized for all to see.

New York Jets rumored offseason target Tanner McKee benched by Eagles after 0-3 start

McKee has a big arm, but he is painfully conservative as a player. McKee has lost all three of his starts, throwing two interceptions and two touchdowns. Milton's cannon of a right arm gives him a ceiling that McKee was simply not reaching, and the Eagles need to save their season at 2-6.

While the Eagles have little to work with after their offensive infrastructure has crumbled to dust, Mckee's inability to get much of anything going offensively prompted Nick Sirianni to make this move. The Jets, meanwhile, stumbled upon both a 2026 upgrade and a 2027 plan of attack in Smith.

Geno Smith is performing better than Tanner McKee

Smith is currently sixth in the NFL in passer rating, and only Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Dak Prescott have a higher PFF passing grade. While Smith is taking some bad sacks when he is protected, he has been throwing the hell out of the ball when he is given time by a stalwart Jets offensive line.

Smith has played so well that the Raiders model of starting a veteran like Kirk Cousins before turning to the Fernando Mendoza-esque top pick might be what the Jets sign up for in the future. Bringing Smith back for 2027 would not only keep this offense humming, but it would prevent the Jets from being forced to lean on any potential rookie they add.

Imagine where the Jets, and Aaron Glenn as a coach, would be as a franchise right now if McKee were limiting the role players. Would this team have a win? Would Glenn have been canned already?

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