Kyle McCord has taken an interesting path to the NFL, moving from Ohio State to Syracuse before becoming a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In 2026, his professional journey has brought him to the Green Bay Packers, where he is competing for a roster spot and trying to establish himself as a long-term NFL quarterback.
Kyle McCord and the NFL
McCord entered the NFL after an impressive college career that ended with a record-setting season at Syracuse. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the sixth round with the 181st overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
He spent his entire rookie season on Philadelphia’s practice squad before the Green Bay Packers signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 20, 2026.
The move to Green Bay gives McCord another opportunity to develop behind veteran quarterback Jordan Love. The Packers entered the 2026 season with competition for the backup quarterback role, and McCord has been part of that battle.
Kyle McCord Packers Update
McCord is currently on the Packers’ roster wearing No. 18. Green Bay lists him at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, with Syracuse as his college.
The Packers signed veteran Tyrod Taylor during the offseason, making the quarterback competition particularly important for McCord. Recent roster projections have generally placed Taylor ahead of McCord for the primary backup role, but McCord remains an intriguing young option with significant college production.
McCord also received an opportunity in Green Bay’s 2026 preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the Packers’ 28-9 loss, he completed 12 of 16 passes for 102 yards, making him Green Bay’s most-used quarterback in the game.
The performance gives McCord an important early opportunity to show the Packers that he can handle NFL defenses and compete for a roster spot.
Kyle McCord Stats
McCord’s college numbers provide the clearest picture of his development as a quarterback.
Across 37 college games, he completed 661 of 998 passes for 8,555 yards, 61 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He finished his college career with a 66.2% completion rate and a 154.4 passer rating.
His most productive season came in 2024 at Syracuse. McCord started all 13 games and completed 391 of 592 passes for 4,779 yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also added three rushing touchdowns.
His 4,779 passing yards set the ACC’s all-time single-season passing-yardage record, while his 391 completions and 34 passing touchdowns were Syracuse school records.
Kyle McCord College Stats
| Season | Team | Games | Comp/Att | Passing Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ohio State | 5 | 25/38 | 416 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 | Ohio State | 7 | 16/20 | 190 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Ohio State | 12 | 229/348 | 3,170 | 24 | 6 |
| 2024 | Syracuse | 13 | 391/592 | 4,779 | 34 | 12 |
| Career | Ohio State/Syracuse | 37 | 661/998 | 8,555 | 61 | 20 |
Kyle McCord at Ohio State
McCord spent his first three college seasons with Ohio State from 2021 through 2023.
He initially served in a limited role before taking over as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback in 2023. That season, he completed 229 of 348 passes for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions while posting a 65.8% completion rate.
Although his Ohio State career lasted only one season as a full-time starter, McCord demonstrated accuracy and strong pocket-passing ability. His decision to transfer after the 2023 season ultimately led him to Syracuse, where his production increased dramatically.
Why Did Kyle McCord Transfer From Ohio State?
After becoming Ohio State’s starting quarterback in 2023, McCord entered the transfer portal following the season and moved to Syracuse.
The change proved significant for his development. At Syracuse, McCord became the focal point of the offense and received considerably more responsibility as a passer.
His 2024 season helped elevate his NFL profile. He led the FBS in passing yards and finished 10th in Heisman Trophy voting.
Kyle McCord Draft
The Philadelphia Eagles selected McCord in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 181st overall pick. He was one of the quarterbacks taken late in the draft after his strong final season at Syracuse.
McCord did not appear in a regular-season NFL game during his rookie year. Instead, he spent the 2025 season on Philadelphia’s practice squad.
That experience gave him time to adjust to the professional game before the Packers gave him another opportunity in 2026.
Kyle McCord’s NFL Outlook
McCord’s NFL future remains a developing story. His college résumé is impressive, particularly his production at Syracuse, but translating that success into the NFL will require him to prove that he can consistently operate an NFL offense.
Green Bay’s quarterback situation gives him a clear challenge. Jordan Love remains the starter, while Tyrod Taylor entered the 2026 season as the leading veteran option behind him. McCord and other young quarterbacks are competing for opportunities beyond the top two spots.
His preseason performance against Pittsburgh is therefore important. Completing 12 of 16 passes for 102 yards showed efficiency, even though the Packers ultimately lost 28-9.
For McCord, the goal is not simply to reproduce his college statistics. It is to demonstrate that his accuracy, decision-making and ability to command an offense can translate to the NFL level.
Final Takeaway
Kyle McCord‘s journey from Ohio State to Syracuse, then from the Eagles to the Packers, has been anything but ordinary. His 8,555 career college passing yards, 61 touchdowns and record-setting 2024 Syracuse season established him as a productive college quarterback.
Now with the Green Bay Packers, McCord faces the next major test of his career. His preseason opportunities could play an important role in determining whether he earns a place on the Packers’ 2026 roster and continues developing toward a larger role in the NFL.
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