MIAMI GARDENS ― Kyle McCord, the newly acquired backup quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, has expressed that his stint with the Green Bay Packers was instrumental in his career progression. McCord, who now shares the quarterback room with starter Malik Willis, believes they both gained valuable experience during their time in Green Bay.
"Going up there is probably the best thing that happened for his career early on, and I would say the same," McCord remarked while speaking to reporters in the Dolphins' locker room. The Dolphins recently traded a sixth-round pick to the Packers to bring McCord on board. The 23-year-old quarterback previously showcased his talents at Syracuse and has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
During his time in Green Bay, McCord performed notably well in both training camp and the preseason. He credits the coaching style of head coach Matt LaFleur and the play of quarterback Jordan Love as significant influences on his development. McCord noted, "I think just watching the way Jordan plays and then being in that room and seeing the way they coach him, just how aggressive he is, I think really opened my eyes to a lot." He emphasized the importance of playing aggressively and taking risks, contrasting that with the hesitation many young quarterbacks feel when they first enter the league.
McCord, who began his collegiate career at Ohio State, is known for his strong arm and accuracy. When discussing his strengths, he stated, "I think just my processing. Knowing the call and then seeing what the defense plays and getting the ball to the right guy on time, allowing the playmakers to go out and make plays. And then my accuracy too, I think those two things really showed in the preseason and are probably a big reason why I’m here." His impressive performance has earned him a spot on the Dolphins' roster, where he replaces Quinn Ewers, who was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Transitioning to the Dolphins' system has been relatively smooth for McCord, who noted that the concepts and schemes in Miami are similar to those he learned in Green Bay. He expressed appreciation for having Willis by his side, stating, "He was in the same spot I was that I’m coming from, and kind of being the translator for the offense and putting in terms that I’m familiar with." This camaraderie has helped McCord acclimate to his new environment quickly.
As he prepares for the upcoming season, McCord is determined to approach his professional opportunities with the same mindset he had in college. He reflected, "I think you’ll make a lot more mistakes trying not to mess up rather than playing aggressive." This mindset served him well during his college career, where he notably led Syracuse to an upset victory over Miami in 2024, passing for 380 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 42-38 win. McCord recalled that game fondly, stating, "That was probably my favorite game from my college career. Being able to go out like that and beat a great Miami team was a lot of fun. So now hoping to make those same fans happy instead of upset."
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