A day after becoming Sam Howell‘s third career trade destination (and second in 2025 alone), the Eagles are cutting Kyle McCord. The sixth-round rookie will be waived, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Added during the Round 6 run on QBs, McCord had been playing behind Tanner McKee during the preseason. But the Eagles have changed up at QB, cutting both McCord and trade pickup Dorian Thompson-Robinson. McCord could become a logical practice squad candidate, but with Howell arriving after a McKee injury, no active-roster spot existed.
McCord did not fare especially well in preseason games, completing just 42.9% of his passes for 191 yards. The former Syracuse and Ohio State passer threw one TD pass and two INTs. McCord cannot land on a practice squad until 11am CT Wednesday, when this extended waiver period wraps.
A Philadelphia-area native, McCord put up big stats during his season at Syracuse. As fellow sixth-round pick (by the Steelers) Will Howard replaced him with the Buckeyes last year, McCord put up big numbers with the Orange. Teaming with fellow Day 3 draftees Oronde Gadsden II and LeQuint Allen last season, McCord posted an ACC-record 4,779 passing yards, leading the NCAA, and set a Syracuse record with 34 TD passes.
McKee suffered a finger injury, and Howell’s arrival signals the expected Jalen Hurts backup might not be ready for Week 1. A McCord practice squad arrival and role as an emergency QB3 to open the season could be available. It will be interesting to see if the Eagles stash McKee on IR to start the year. He will otherwise be carried on the active roster as a player who might not be ready for a couple of weeks.