Third street quarterback Tanner McKee had a memorable NFL debut on Sunday, throwing his first career touchdown to help the Eagles win the NFC East.

But he almost lost his milestone ball due to an error by AJ Brown. Thanks to an understanding Eagles fan, McKee finished the game with the ball and also beat the Dallas Cowboys.

McKee takes over for the injured Kenny Pickett

McKee played on Sunday thanks to injuries to Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett.

Hurts remained in the concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in Week 16 and did not appear in Sunday’s game. Then, in the third quarter, backup Pickett left the game after taking a shot in the ribs.

The injury occurred on a pass play in the red zone. Pickett threw the ball into the end zone and was hit by Micah Parsons, leaving him doubled over in pain.

Pickett’s touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith was negated by a holding penalty, and McKee took over for a third-down handoff before the Eagles kicked a field goal.

The Eagles considered Pickett’s return questionable because of a rib injury. Philadelphia, which had already secured a playoff spot, held a 24-7 lead over the Cowboys at the time of Pickett’s injury.

McKee throws his first NFL touchdown pass

McKee remained in the game for the next series while Pickett went to the locker room to be evaluated for his injury. McKee was a sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft and had never thrown an NFL pass before Sunday.

On his first full possession leading the Eagles’ offense, he threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brown, extending Philadelphia’s lead to 34-7.

AJ Brown gives away milestone ball

Brown then promptly threw the touchdown ball into the stands as a fan souvenir, apparently unaware that it was the first touchdown pass of McKee’s career. Brown quickly realized his mistake and offered to trade his jersey for McKee’s milestone ball to the fan who caught the ball.

The Eagles worked with the fan to make sure McKee got his ball. The fan gave the ball back to Eagles safety “Big Dom” DiSandro. And Brown kept his promise to give the fan his jersey and autograph.

Not a bad deal.

Pickett eventually returned to the sideline without a helmet, his day over as Philadelphia held a 27-point lead. His prognosis was not immediately clear.

The Eagles cruised to a 41-7 victory to improve to 13-3 and clinch the NFC East title as Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. McKee finished his day completing 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. His second touchdown was a 25-yard pass to Smith in the second quarter.

Hurts has a week to clear concussion protocol before Philadelphia plays its season finale against the Giants next Sunday and at least two weeks before the Eagles play in the playoffs. In the meantime, McKee can look forward to a successful NFL debut.