Coming into training camp, Kyle McCord was just hoping that he would be able to compete for a place. Following Friday's final preseason game, there's a solid argument to be made that he should be the Green Bay Packers' backup quarterback.
McCord started and played the entirety of the Packers' 42-38 thrilling win over the Arizona Cardinals. Typically, and as is likely the case here, this means that McCord will not be challenging veteran Tyrod Taylor for the role of QB2 on the Packers' depth chart. However, McCord made sure to at least make the decision something to talk about with an absolute showcase on Friday.
With the whole game under his belt, McCord threw for 226 yards, four touchdowns, and earned a 119.5 passer rating. He was absolutely electric all night, including orchestrating a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter.
Kyle McCord has done everything he can to make his case to be Packers' QB2
McCord only missed 13 of his pass attempts, and three of those came on his first three passes of the game. He showed poise throughout every opportunity he had, and after the game, head coach Matt LaFleur also praised his demeanor, saying McCord had everything you want in a quarterback.
"He did a heck of a job. He was so just poised, in his ability to operate and function," said LaFleur of McCord. "I think he definitely has the demeanor, no doubt about it. He's in total control out there, and he's willing to stand in the pocket and deliver, in the face of pressure. I thought he did an outstanding job."
We've already talked over the last few weeks about how McCord could be making a case for himself to be the Packers' backup.
While he played excellently throughout the preseason, Tyrod Taylor did not. Taylor looked rough in the few chances he got and even seemed to struggle at times in training camp, most recently in the team's joint practice against the Cardinals last week.
On top of the play, the Packers also have, in the last two years, a history of actually needing their backup quarterback. Despite all this, it seems like the Packers will not put too much on McCord's plate, and it'll be Taylor who backs up Jordan Love for the time being.
What's next for McCord, for the Packers, is an even bigger question.
Traditionally, teams don't always keep three quarterbacks rostered going into a regular season. They'll keep two, have one on the practice squad, and move that way. The way McCord has played, though, it is much less likely that he would make it through waivers if the Packers cut him, with the hope or expectation that he ends up on the practice squad.
The team is in a bit of a pickle in that regard, as McCord has played more than well enough to make his case for QB2 in a position battle no one knew was coming, and now has seemingly outplayed a position on the practice squad.
The Packers' decision will be an interesting one, as it'll showcase not only how much they believe in McCord, but also in Taylor, should they decide to risk McCord's status on the team.
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