The New England Patriots won the AFC East this season for the first time since 2019, but if they don't want to hand the division right back to the Bills in 2026, they'll need further reinforcements. 9th in effective cap space and holders of 12 draft picks, they have little reason not to improve this offseason, and that should get fans very excited.
While the Bills are the primary threat, the East is home to two other teams: the Dolphins and Jets. The Jets have plenty of draft capital and a few young cornerstones, but until they come to a long-term solution at quarterback, they won't be much of a threat.
While the Dolphins have been an okay squad over the last half-decade, they haven't been able to get over the playoff hump: just one appearance since 2016 and no wins. This offseason, owner Stephen Ross has opted for what will likely be a wholesale change in the organization.
HC Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier were both shown the exit, and Tua Tagovailoa may have taken his last snap for the Dolphins. While the head coach search is still ongoing, ESPN's Benjamin Solak has an idea for how the Dolphins might offer stability to the quarterback room: Eagles' Tanner McKee.
Tanner McKee could be a trade target for the Dolphins, much to Patriots' fans' delight
The Dolphins are in a difficult position. Tua's contract is tradable, but cutting him is not so viable. It seems unlikely anyone would take on that contract unless he was willing to take a major pay cut, which isn't impossible if the right team came calling.
Perhaps the Chiefs could look his way with Mahomes' ACL tear?
Regardless of Tua's fate, Miami will look to bring in competition for the QB1 role at the very least. Former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson is a free agent, but 7th-round selection Quinn Ewers will be on the squad next year. The latter averaged 189.6 yards in 3 starts with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
Ewers may have punched his ticket as a bridge QB and long-term backup, but barring a sudden jump in year two, Miami will have to look in a different direction.
Enter former Stanford Cardinal Tanner McKee. A sixth-round pick by the Eagles in 2023, McKee will turn 26 in April. At 6-foot-6, 231 pounds, size is no issue, and in minimal action, he's shown real potential.
McKee is 1-1 as a starter, throwing for just shy of 600 yards in his career with 5 touchdowns to a single interception. He'll be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season.
There's little doubt McKee has proven himself as a backup, but is there much upside for him as a starter? Solak predicts Miami could have interest in sending a "middle-round pick". Miami has picks in rounds 4, 5, and 7. It's likely that if the Dolphins wanted to pry away the QB from the NFC East, they'd need to give up their fourth or fifth round pick.
While adding McKee to a team with question marks at quarterback wouldn't be a bad move, it's far from a solution. If McKee were to be traded to the Florida squad for a fourth-round pick, for example, New England and other AFC East teams should be jumping for joy.
A trade like this would likely mean McKee and Ewers will battle it out for the starting job, and neither are established QBs. Combined, they've thrown for 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in four seasons.
Miami would likely be better off looking towards the QB class in the draft to try to bolster its squad. Perhaps Ole Miss signal-caller Trinidad Chambliss could help jumpstart their rebuild? Regardless, a QB room centered around McKee and Ewers would be a weak one, maybe the weakest in the entire league.
New England was 2-0 against the Dolphins this season and 5-1 in the East, and with moves like this, they can expect to repeat that feat next season.