The Philadelphia Eagles' ambitious plan to establish a quarterback development pipeline has hit another significant setback. Kyle McCord, the team's sixth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, has officially signed a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers for the 2026 season. This move effectively closes the book on McCord's brief tenure in Philadelphia and raises fresh questions about the organization's ability to cultivate talent behind franchise signal-caller Jalen Hurts.
When the Eagles selected McCord out of Syracuse, the front office envisioned him as the next success story in their quarterback factory model—a system that had previously yielded promising results with late-round picks. The comparison to Tanner McKee was immediate and intentional. McKee, a former fifth-round selection himself, had developed into a reliable backup and potential trade asset, demonstrating that patience and proper coaching could transform Day 3 draft picks into valuable NFL contributors. The organization hoped McCord would follow a similar trajectory, providing either a cheap backup option or a tradable commodity down the line.
However, McCord's preseason performance quickly extinguished those lofty expectations. Across three exhibition games, he completed a concerning 42.9% of his passes for just 191 yards, managing one touchdown against two interceptions. His mechanics appeared inconsistent, his decision-making seemed rushed, and he never displayed the comfort level necessary to operate effectively within the Eagles' offensive system. While he technically won the training camp competition against Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the coaching staff's confidence in McCord remained shaky at best. The eye test revealed a player overwhelmed by the speed of the professional game, unable to translate his college success to even preseason competition.
The final nail in the coffin came when Philadelphia opted to trade for Sam Howell to serve as the third-string quarterback, subsequently demoting McCord to the practice squad. This transaction spoke volumes about the organization's true assessment of McCord's readiness. Rather than entrust him with even a developmental roster spot, the Eagles brought in a veteran with starting experience, effectively acknowledging that their rookie project required significantly more time than anticipated. The move also represented a shift in philosophy—prioritizing proven competence over developmental potential when constructing the bottom of the quarterback depth chart.
McCord's struggles weren't merely statistical—they were fundamental. His passes often lacked accuracy, sailing high or wide of intended targets. His pocket presence appeared tentative, and his ability to progress through reads seemed limited. These issues suggested that the jump from college to professional football might be steeper for McCord than the Eagles' scouting department had projected. What the team had hoped would be a seamless transition instead became a cautionary tale about overvaluing physical tools without properly assessing mental readiness and technical refinement.
The timing of McCord's departure proves particularly inconvenient for Philadelphia's broader quarterback strategy. With Jalen Hurts firmly entrenched as the starter and carrying one of the league's largest contracts, the organization faces critical decisions regarding its backup situation. McKee's name has resurfaced in trade discussions throughout the offseason, with several quarterback-needy teams reportedly willing to part with a mid-round draft pick to acquire his services. The Eagles must now weigh whether trading McKee leaves them sufficiently protected behind Hurts, both in terms of on-field performance and financial flexibility.
Should Philadelphia move forward with a McKee trade, Sam Howell becomes the logical candidate to assume primary backup duties. Howell's experience as a former starter with the Washington Commanders provides a level of insurance that McCord simply couldn't offer. Yet this scenario creates another dilemma: Howell's contract situation and long-term fit within the organization remain uncertain, potentially leaving the Eagles searching for yet another developmental prospect. The team must also consider Howell's performance ceiling and whether he truly represents an upgrade over simply retaining McKee.
This uncertainty almost certainly guarantees that general manager Howie Roseman will target another quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft. The round in which Philadelphia selects a signal-caller could reveal the organization's true feelings about both Howell and Hurts. A Day 2 selection might indicate concerns about Howell's ability to serve as a reliable backup, while another Day 3 pick would suggest continued faith in the quarterback factory concept despite McCord's failure. The investment level will signal whether the Eagles view their current situation as stable or precarious.
The Eagles' quarterback philosophy has always been predicated on depth and development. Roseman, known for his aggressive roster management, understands the value of having tradeable assets at the most important position in sports. McKee's emergence validated this approach, but McCord's flameout serves as a reminder that not every late-round quarterback will follow the same trajectory. The hit rate on Day 3 quarterbacks is notoriously low across the league, and Philadelphia's recent experience underscores the difficulty of finding even competent backups in the draft's later rounds.
For McCord personally, the move to Green Bay represents a fresh start with an organization renowned for quarterback development. The Packers' history of nurturing talent behind Hall of Fame passers creates an environment where McCord can rebuild his fundamentals without immediate pressure. Whether he can resurrect his career in Wisconsin remains to be seen, but the opportunity itself provides a lifeline that might not have existed in Philadelphia's crowded quarterback room. The Packers' patient approach and strong coaching staff could be exactly what McCord needs to salvage his professional prospects.
Philadelphia's front office must now return to the drawing board, reevaluating both their evaluation criteria and development processes for quarterbacks. The failure to identify McCord's readiness issues before investing a draft pick suggests potential blind spots in their scouting process. Additionally, the inability to develop him during his brief stint with the team raises questions about whether the coaching staff can maximize the potential of raw prospects. These concerns become more pressing when considering the team's championship window with Hurts in his prime.
The broader implications extend beyond just one player. The Eagles' entire quarterback infrastructure faces scrutiny as they prepare for the upcoming season. With Hurts' significant contract commanding substantial cap space, finding cost-effective backup solutions becomes increasingly important. The team cannot afford to miss on developmental prospects when every dollar of cap room matters for building a complete roster capable of competing for championships.
Furthermore, the psychological impact on the locker room shouldn't be underestimated. When a highly-touted rookie fails to make the roster, it sends ripples throughout the organization. Other young players may question their own standing, while veterans might grow concerned about the team's direction. Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni must address these concerns transparently to maintain organizational trust and prevent any erosion of confidence in the front office's decision-making.
Looking ahead, the Eagles have several paths forward. They could double down on their quarterback factory model, using the McCord experience as a learning opportunity to refine their evaluation process. Alternatively, they might pivot toward more established veterans as backups, sacrificing potential upside for immediate reliability. The most likely scenario involves a hybrid approach—retaining Howell while drafting another developmental prospect in the later rounds, essentially acknowledging that depth requires multiple contingency plans.
The decision on McKee ultimately serves as the linchpin for this entire strategy. If Philadelphia receives an attractive trade offer, moving him becomes a logical business decision that capitalizes on their developmental success. However, doing so would eliminate their most proven backup option and increase pressure on the front office to find his replacement. The compensation package would need to be substantial enough to justify creating another roster hole, likely a fourth or fifth-round pick given McKee's proven performance in limited action.
For now, Eagles fans must grapple with the reality that their quarterback pipeline has sprung a leak. The promise of endless depth has given way to uncertainty, and the organization must once again prove it can identify and develop talent at the game's most critical position. McCord's departure serves as both a disappointment and a learning opportunity—a reminder that in the NFL, potential means nothing without production and that even the most well-regarded scouting departments can miss on evaluations.
The coming months will reveal whether Philadelphia can correct course or if this represents a deeper systemic issue. With Howell's contract situation unresolved and the draft approaching, Roseman faces another test of his roster-building acumen. The Eagles' Super Bowl aspirations depend not just on Hurts' performance, but on the organization's ability to build a complete quarterback room capable of weathering the inevitable storms of an NFL season. The margin for error is slim, and the pressure is mounting to get this position right.