Why did Eagles draft a quarterback? Explaining Philly’s selection of Syracuse star Kyle McCord

Ryan OLeary

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Why did Eagles draft a quarterback? Explaining Philly’s selection of Syracuse star Kyle McCord image

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After going heavy on defense in Rounds 1 through 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles made a somewhat surprising selection on offense in the sixth round.

With the 181st overall pick, the Eagles selected Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord, adding to a depth chart led by reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, presumed backup Tanner McKee and the underperforming Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

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McCord, 22, had a monster season for Syracuse in 2024 after transferring over from Ohio State. He passed for 4,779 yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He’s got good size at 6-foot-3 and projects as an upside backup in the NFL.

Why did the Eagles draft a quarterback?

Fans should ignore any hot-take artists with this selection. This has nothing to do with Hurts, and shouldn’t really challenge McKee’s current standing as Philly’s projected QB2.

Simply put, this is what smart NFL executives do. The quarterback position is the most important in all of sports, and teams should be collecting as many prospects as possible at the position with a goal of creating a future asset. 

Quarterbacks like McCord, or Ohio State’s Will Howard, weren’t on the early-round radar for this year's draft. Snagging one of them in the sixth round — Pittsburgh took Howard there, as well — is a classic low-risk, high-reward type move, as the Eagles can now put McCord in their system and try to develop him into an asset they can either use, or flip in future years.

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The Eagles took a similar path with McKee, who looked like a legitimate NFL starter in limited game action in 2024. Philly used a sixth-round selection on McKee in 2023, and if he continues on his current trajectory, fetching a top-100 draft pick prior to his rookie contract expiring is definitely not out of the question. McCord’s presence could actually open the door for such a move.

That’s not a prediction, as we love McKee’s current status as a low-cost, highly-efficient backup for Hurts. McCord is certainly an upgrade over Thompson-Robinson, though, and how things play out in training camp will be interesting (if all four guys make it there).

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.