Jets Urged to Consider Eagles, Texans Backup QBs in Trades

NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah suggests New York look to acquire Tanner McKee or Davis Mills as a stopgap solution at quarterback.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 3:23am

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The New York Jets are in need of a new starting quarterback after a disappointing season from Justin Fields. NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah has urged the Jets to "kick the tires" on potential trades for backup quarterbacks Tanner McKee of the Philadelphia Eagles and Davis Mills of the Houston Texans, rather than drafting a QB early. Both McKee and Mills have shown promise as backups and could provide a solid stopgap option for the Jets in 2026.

Why it matters

The Jets have struggled to find a long-term answer at quarterback, and acquiring a veteran backup like McKee or Mills could give them a more reliable option than drafting an unproven rookie. Both players have shown they can be competent starters in the NFL, which could be an appealing option for the Jets as they look to bounce back from a tough 2025 season.

The details

Tanner McKee is the backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, behind starter Jalen Hurts. The 26-year-old was a 2023 sixth-round draft pick and has a 1-1 record as a pro, with a 61.4% completion rate, 597 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Davis Mills, 27, is the backup for the Houston Texans behind C.J. Stroud. A 2021 third-round pick, Mills has started 29 games in his career, with a 61.8% completion rate, 7,082 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions.

  • The 2026 NFL season will begin in September 2026.

The players

Tanner McKee

The backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, behind starter Jalen Hurts.

Davis Mills

The backup quarterback for the Houston Texans, behind starter C.J. Stroud.

Justin Fields

The current starting quarterback for the New York Jets, who had a disappointing 2025 season.

Daniel Jeremiah

An NFL Draft expert who has urged the Jets to consider trades for McKee and Mills.

Darren Mougey

The general manager of the New York Jets.

Aaron Glenn

The head coach of the New York Jets.

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What they’re saying

“Instead, Jeremiah said the Jets should be kicking the tires on a couple of veteran backups to gauge their availability on the trade market: the Eagles' Tanner McKee and the Texans' Davis Mills.”

— Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Draft expert

What’s next

The Jets will need to evaluate the trade market and potential costs for acquiring McKee or Mills in the coming months as they look to address their quarterback situation ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

With the Jets in need of a reliable quarterback, acquiring a proven backup like Tanner McKee or Davis Mills through a trade could provide a more stable short-term solution than drafting an unproven rookie. Both players have shown they can be competent starters in the NFL, which could be an appealing option for the Jets as they look to bounce back from a tough 2025 season.