The Green Bay Packers made their first major player personnel move of the offseason on Tuesday when they released former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro cornerback, Trevon Diggs, after playing just a pair of games for the team in his short stint that lasted less than one month.
But the Packers also made another move on January 20th, when they signed former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and 2024 NCAA passing yards leader, Kyle McCord, to a reserve/futures contract.
Packers Sign Second Year Quarterback
“Packers signed QB Kyle McCord to a reserve/future contract. He was a sixth-round pick of the Eagles last year. Set both the Syracuse and ACC single-season passing yards record in 2024.” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman posted on X.
McCord was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Eagles, and was looked at as a possible future backup for starter and Super Bowl champion, Jalen Hurts.
Current Philadelphia QB2, Tanner McKee is out of contract at the end of the 2026 season, and it was likely general manager, Howie Roseman and co. considered it worthwhile taking a flyer on him on day 3 to have him as a possibility to take over the role in 2027 – and potentially beyond.
However, things did not work out as Roseman would have hoped, with McCord getting cut prior to the start of the 2025 season in late August and being subsequently signed to the practice squad – where he remained for the rest of the season, without playing a single snap for the team in the regular season.
Now, McCord signs with Green Bay, where he will have a chance to revive his already-faltered pro career and could be in the mix to make the 53-man roster in 2026.
Could McCord Become The Packers’ Next Backup QB?
It is too early to say exactly what the composition of Green Bay’s quarterback room will look like in 2026, but it is not out of the question that the team give the former Syracuse star a shot to make an impact.
The Packers will almost certainly lose current backup, Malik Willis, who some believe could receive up to $40-50 million per year this offseason. And at the moment, the next best option on the team is former Atlanta Falcons third round pick, Desmond Ridder, who has done little to demonstrate bona fide capabilities in the league since being drafted out of Cincinnati back in 2022.
Outside of Ridder, Green Bay have no other quarterbacks on the roster to challenge McCord for the role – yet.
It would make a lot of sense for the team to look at either investing in a quarterback on day three of the draft, where there could be a litany of quality backup-worthy options, or making a move for a proven veteran commodity to serve as Jordan Love-insurance.
Given head coach, Matt LaFleur’s long history in being able to develop and make the most out of young QBs, the former would appear to be the more likely route.
McCord has a long way to go before being anywhere near the mix of the Packers’ active roster in 2026, but it is certainly not out of the question.
Packers Sign Former College Football Passing Yards Leader QB