Aug 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (16) throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
Eagles football is back. Sort of. The Eagles took on the Cincinnati Bengals in their opening preseason game, coming out with a 34-27 win.
The Eagles didn't play any of their premier starters. Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and most of the offensive line were on the sidelines.
With the stars absent, Tanner McKee stole the show, playing into the second half. McKee looked sharp, helping the Eagles put up 27 points with him on the field.
Here's three takeaways from the Eagles preseason victory:
McKee slings it
With Kenny Pickett gone, McKee has a firm grasp on the backup quarterback job. The Eagles consistently value backup QBs and McKee is their latest byproduct of that. He looked pretty comfortable on Thursday.
McKee smoothly led the Eagles down the field on their first two possessions. He hit Dotson outside the numbers for a first down to start the drive. Dotston got free on a slant over the middle in the red zone to set the Eagles up at the five.
The drive concluded with McKee running the fabled "Tush Push" on fourth-and-goal. As he ran off the field, McKee was fired up, while Jalen Hurts couldn't help but smile.
McKee led the Eagles into Bengals territory when he got back on the field, aided by a contested catch from Johnny Wilson on a 50-50 ball. Facing a third-and-five, McKee scrambled and looked like he kept the drive alive by hitting Grant Carcaterra along the sideline, but the tight end dropped the ball.
Right before the end of the half, McKee orchestrated two straight touchdown drives. The quarterback calmly hit Ainias Smith on third-and-goal from the five yard line for a touchdown. Smith then had an electric punt return, which set the Eagles up at the 20-yard line. Two plays later, McKee fired a dot to Darius Cooper in the corner of the end zone for his second touchdown pass.
Tanner McKee:
14-of-17
82% completions
193 yards
11.4 YPA
2 passing TDs
1 rushing TD
pic.twitter.com/tZt0ghLcj8
McKee's night looked to be done there, but he came back in the second half and led the Eagles into the red zone, where they settled from the field goal.
McKee finished 20-for-25 with 252 yards and two touchdowns. He was in complete control from the jump and looked like a starting-caliber QB. There won't be a quarterback controversy anytime soon. Though Hurts has missed six games over the past few seasons, so having a capable backup is a good thing.
Secondary gets a test
Depending on the team, starters usually don't see much action in the preseason. That wasn't the case for the Bengals. All their offensive starters took the field, which meant facing Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who spearheaded the No. 1 passing offense in the NFL last season.
That was actually good news for the Eagles, who still have an opening at outside corner. The competition is between Adoree Jackson and Kelee Ringo, both of whom started Thursday. Facing one of the best receiving cores in the NFL is a good way to try and prove your worth.
Neither Jackson or Ringo made much of an impression. To start, the Bengals went 69 yards in 10 plays, with both cornerbacks getting beaten. Chase got by Jackson on an out route to convert a first down early in the drive. A couple plays later, Chase caught a 23-yard pass despite good coverage from Ringo soon after. Neither cornerback could do much to stop Burrow and the Bengals on their first drive. Tanner Hudson finished off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown catch.
Ringo didn't do himself any favors the following possession. Vic Fangio sent a rare blitz and Burrow got the ball out quick to Chase. Ringo attempted to wrap the receiver up quickly, but took a poor angle. Chase scooted right by him and went untouched into the end zone.
Joe Burrow. Ja'Marr Chase. Easy Bengals TD.
Stream CINvsPHI on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/y0K6WqUbPP
Burrow completed 9 of 10 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, Burrow and co are a tough test, especially in preseason. But the Eagles' secondary wasn't up to the task.
Jihaad Campbell nearly comes up big
When the Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell, it wasn't certain he'd even be able to play in the preseason. He underwent offseason shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, but was cleared for full practice when the Eagles started Training Camp.
The Eagles began their first preseason game with Campbell playing alongside Jeremiah Trotter Jr.. Both are competing to see who will start next to Zack Baun in the regular season.
Campbell was the busier of the two against the Bengals. The rookie's first involvement was getting called for a hands to the face penalty on a run play.
He should've made up for it with an interception later in the first half, when a pass intended for Isaiah Williams was deflected into the air. Campbell was on clean-up duty, diving for the ball, which fell into his chest. However, the linebacker couldn't come down with the interception:
Ty Robinson with the sack and Jihaad Campbell almost intercepts the tipped pass #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/xKXHbpNl2e
Campbell will have plenty of opportunities to make plays in the future.
What's next?
The Eagles will host the Cleveland Browns in their second preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field next Saturday.
