Eagles' QB Dilemma: Next Man Up & Running Game Focus

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Eagles Must Let Tanner McKee Play and Lean on Barkley Against the Cowboys

Losing starting quarterback Jalen Hurts puts the Eagles in a difficult position. Tanner McKee is a dropback passer taking over behind an offensive line that is also dealing with significant challenges.

The Eagles cannot handcuff McKee. Sean Manning and Nick Ciriani must understand what the quarterback can do, trust him to make plays and let him play. Assuming he cannot execute would limit the entire team.

The next-man-up mentality remains important, while getting Barkley back for Monday night against the Cowboys could provide a major boost. Establishing the run can be a quarterback’s best friend, and simply putting a great back on the field changes how a defense approaches the game, whether he receives the handoff or not.

Barkley’s return could also help create play-action opportunities for an offense with the 29th-best running attack. Two years ago, with Jeff Stoutman, the Eagles had one of the greatest offensive rushing attacks of all time.