The Philadelphia Eagles have sent shockwaves through the NFL with a series of bold quarterback moves, culminating in the surprising release of rookie Kyle McCord just one day after acquiring Sam Howell in a trade on August 24, 2025. The rapid roster shakeup has left fans and analysts buzzing about the team’s quarterback depth chart and the future of the young signal-caller now hitting the waiver wire.
The Eagles’ quarterback carousel began spinning with the acquisition of Sam Howell, a former Washington Commanders starter, for a modest price: a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2026 late-round pick swap. The trade, reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, instantly crowded Philly’s quarterback room, which already featured franchise cornerstone Jalen Hurts and backup Tanner McKee. With three quarterbacks already on the roster, the Eagles made the tough call to release McCord, a sixth-round pick from the 2025 NFL draft.
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“The Eagles are releasing rookie QB Kyle McCord, per a league source,” Schultz posted on X on August 25. “The 6th-round pick out of Syracuse had a good training camp, but Philly already has 3 QBs on its roster.”
McCord’s release is a stunning turn of events for a quarterback who was drafted just months ago after a standout 2024 season at Syracuse. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound passer threw for an impressive 4,779 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 13 games, adding three rushing touchdowns for good measure. His performance at Syracuse, following three seasons at Ohio State, showcased his ability to thrive in a pro-style passing scheme.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein praised McCord’s potential in his pre-draft profile, likening him to former No. 2 overall pick Mitch Trubisky. “Pocket passer with good size who played in a high-volume, pro-passing scheme that should give him a head start as a pro,” Zierlein wrote. “His fundamentals are usually solid and he plays with adequate poise in the face of pressure. He has enough arm to make window throws and push the ball around the field.”
Despite his promise, McCord’s time in Philadelphia ended before he could take a regular-season snap, an unsurprising outcome given Jalen Hurts’ iron grip on the starting role. The Eagles’ decision to part ways with McCord has sparked debate, with some questioning whether the team moved on too quickly.
While the Eagles could attempt to re-sign McCord to their practice squad, there’s no guarantee he’ll clear waivers. Given his strong college resume and solid training camp, another NFL team could swoop in to claim the young quarterback. “If Howie is confident McCord is getting back on the practice squad, then cutting him doesn’t matter much—he’ll still be in the building,” noted Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com in an August 25 X post. “But if McCord is claimed or leaves, this would be a disappointing result to have given up on McCord so quickly.”
The uncertainty surrounding McCord’s future underscores the high-stakes nature of NFL roster decisions, where even a talented rookie can find himself on the outside looking in.
The Eagles’ acquisition of Sam Howell adds another layer of intrigue to the quarterback shakeup. Howell, now on his fourth NFL team in just three years, brings a wealth of experience despite his journeyman status. Previously with the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks, Howell was traded to the Minnesota Vikings during the 2025 NFL draft, only to be flipped to Philadelphia without ever playing a down for the Vikings.
Howell’s arrival solidifies the Eagles’ quarterback depth but raises questions about the team’s long-term plans. With Tanner McKee favored to remain the backup behind Hurts, Howell likely slots in as the third-string quarterback, offering a seasoned option in case of injury.
As the dust settles on these roster moves, Jalen Hurts remains the unquestioned leader of the Eagles’ offense, with McKee and Howell providing depth and insurance. The release of Kyle McCord, however, serves as a reminder of the NFL’s cutthroat nature, where even a quarterback with nearly 5,000 yards of college production can find himself searching for a new opportunity just months after being drafted.