Unexpectedly promising Packers preseason debut hints at intriguing quarterback roster battle behind Jordan Love
Second-year quarterback Kyle McCord played well against the Steelers, potentially creating a QB2 battle with veteran Tyrod Taylor.
The Green Bay Packers might have a roster battle brewing where they did not expect one: the quarterback room. Jordan Love is obviously the franchise answer at the position, but behind him, third-stringer Kyle McCord turned in a promising performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason opener. Green Bay lost 28-9 in an underwhelming offensive showing, but McCord emerged as one of the few bright spots.
McCord outplays Taylor in larger sample
McCord entered in the first half and played extensively, completing 12 of 16 passes for 102 yards with a 91.1 passer rating. That was a bigger sample size and a better showing than backup Tyrod Taylor, who completed just four of eight passes for 21 yards and a 56.3 passer rating. Love played only one series, Taylor didn’t see much action either, and fourth-string quarterback Kyron Drones entered only for the final few drives, giving McCord the bulk of the meaningful snaps.
The 23-year-old McCord was a sixth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles last season. He spent his entire rookie year with the Eagles before signing a reserve futures deal with Green Bay back in January. McCord showed mobility in the pocket, a strong arm, and the ability to stand tall under pressure. Head coach Matt LaFleur praised him specifically for how he operated the two-minute offense before halftime, driving the Packers into field goal range and spiking the ball with one second left on the clock so kicker Trey Smack could convert.
“I thought he went out there and operated that two-minute drive the way he did. I don’t believe he’s had that live yet in that situation, where it’s a down-to-down, clock situation,” LaFleur said. “He rifled the inside slant, and to have the urgency to get up and spike the ball with one second left, I thought that was just incredible execution, not only by him, but by all 11 that were out there.”
What McCord’s performance means for the Packers
McCord signed a one-year, $885,000 contract with Green Bay. If he stays on the roster, he would be an exclusive rights free agent next offseason, giving the Packers at least two more years of control over his services.
“I thought the other thing that he did a really nice job with was just hanging in the pocket,” LaFleur added. “Obviously, he took a hit and delivered the ball to, I think it was Isaiah Neyor on that one. So I thought he did a lot of good things.”
If McCord can replicate that type of performance over the next two preseason games against the Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals, the coaching staff and front office will have to have a conversation about the type of player he is and the type of backup they want behind Love.
At this point, as a pure player evaluation, McCord might already be a better long-term option than Taylor. But the Packers value Taylor’s experience and what he brings throughout the week helping Love prepare for opponents. McCord is at least securing that third-string spot, whether on the 53-man roster or the practice squad, and his development is worth monitoring as camp continues.
