The Philadelphia Eagles made a handful of surprising moves in the 2025 offseason. This included drafting quarterback Kyle McCord as a potential emergency option.
McKee is the primary backup option with Dorian Thompson-Robinson and McCord competing for the final spot. With one preseason game remaining, it has become too clear to ignore that the rookie quarterback isn't anywhere close to ready. Even in a reserve spot, there simply hasn't been enough production to justify keeping the signal caller anywhere close to the roster.
Thompson-Robinson hasn't been great, but at least he has shown a level of capability that has eluded the rookie. McCord appears consistently overmatched and unable to adjust to the speed of the next level. Considering this is just preseason speed, it becomes especially alarming when thinking about the quarterback's future. Still, the Eagles did spend a draft pick on McCord.
McCord's ceiling is as Philly's practice squad quarterback in the 2025 season. The front office simply cannot justify keeping the rookie on the active roster with what has been put on display in the preseason. It is beyond obvious that McCord is going to become a roster cut over the next week of the preseason.
Philly Must Make Difficult Decision Cutting Eagles Rookie Kyle McCord
Fans are unlikely to have any issue with the rookie quarterback being cut after watching preseason action. It is understood that the third quarterback role is better in Thompson-Robinson's hands or a surprise addition. There simply isn't a viable path to giving McCord the job and believing the rookie is going to show steady improvement.
The correct decision is cutting the quarterback and hoping that a stint on the practice squad will allow the rookie to begin to show notable improvement. Any other decision would come as a surprise to the Eagles. Looking at free agency and remaining options, the Eagles do have an interesting possibility with Carson Wentz remaining a free agent. It would be an interesting story to see the veteran brought back as insurance.
However, it does seem the franchise has a great deal of confidence in McKee, and Jalen Hurts has proven to be incredibly durable. Perhaps Thompson-Robinson will prove to be the final answer at the position, with McCord's fate already decided heading into the final week of the preseason.