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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kyle McCord.
The Philadelphia Eagles saw their 2023 sixth round pick pay off in a big way as quarterback Tanner McKee turned into a reliable backup — if not eventual starter for another team — over the last 3 seasons.
The Eagles hoped to replicate that formula with quarterback Kyle McCord in 2025, using a sixth round pick on the former Ohio State and Syracuse star in anticipation of McKee eventually being traded or leaving in free agency.
Like pretty much everything else with Philadelphia’s offense in 2025, that didn’t pan out. McCord was released as part of Philadelphia’s final roster cuts in August and spent the season on the practice squad.
Almost one year after he was drafted, McCord is getting a chance with another team after he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday.
“Packers signed QB Kyle McCord to a reserve/future contract,” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman wrote on his official X account. “He was a sixth-round pick of the Eagles last year. Set both the Syracuse and ACC single-season passing yards record in 2024.”
Eagles Ended Up Wasting Pick on McCord
Looking back, the Eagles may have forced the issue with drafting another quarterback in 2025 — especially with McKee still having 2 years remaining on his rookie contract.
Either way, it was a surprise even though McCord was just a sixth round pick. Especially considering the Eagles traded for another backup quarterback in Dorian Thompson-Robinson after they won the Super Bowl in February 2025.
“(McCord) led the FBS in passing yards per game and set the ACC’s single season passing yards record (4,779) in his lone season with the Orange,” ESPN’s Steve Muench wrote in his pre-draft analysis. “He is an effective point guard who spreads the ball around. Four Syracuse receivers finished the season with more than 60 catches … his arm is strong enough to make every throw, and he has the touch to drop the ball in downfield.”
McCord Left Ohio State After One Season as Starter
McCord started at Ohio State in 2023 and transferred to Syracuse after throwing for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in 2023.
Headed into the Cotton Bowl following the season and with an 11-1 record, McCord entered the transfer portal after Ohio State head coach Ryan Day declined to commit to McCord as the starting quarterback in 2024.
McCord was replaced by Will Howard, who led the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff national championship and was named Offensive MVP in the title game.
Howard was selected just 4 spots after McCord in the fifth round, by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 185 overall.
What Eagles QB Room Will Look Like in 2026
The Eagles will almost certainly still have the same 2 quarterbacks at the top of the depth chart in former Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and McKee in 2026 – barring a trade offer for McKee that ends up being too good to pass up.
One interesting plot twist would be if the Eagles drafted a quarterback in the earlier rounds with the thought of stoking the fires of competition for Hurts, who looked lost at times in 2025.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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