Dolphins add another former Packer to QB room to back up Malik Willis

Kyle McCord. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Dolphins add another former Packer to QB room to back up Malik Willis

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 30, 2026 2:26 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins are adding another former Green Bay Packer to their quarterback room.

On Sunday, the Dolphins sent a 2028 sixth-round pick to the Packers for second-year QB Kyle McCord. He will replace second-year QB Quinn Ewers, whom Miami traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. McCord will back up Miami starting QB Malik Willis, who played for Green Bay from 2024-25 while new Miami head coach Jeff Hafley was the team's defensive coordinator.

What else should Dolphins fans know about Kyle McCord?

McCord played four collegiate seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Syracuse Orange. His best season came in 2024 with Syracuse, when he led the nation in passing yards (4,779) and finished 10th in Heisman voting.

During the predraft process, he gained traction as an intriguing developmental QB after showcasing his ability to spin it. At a session at the East-West Shrine Bowl (now Shriners Bowl) in January 2025, the QB clocked an average spin rate (number of revolutions a football makes in flight) of 699 rpm, which is off the charts. The average spin rate for NFL QBs in 2025 was 570 rpm. Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold led the league in this metric (639 rpm).

Trade: Packers are sending QB Kyle McCord to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2028 6th-round pick, per sources.

After trading Quinn Ewers to the Jaguars, the Dolphins needed a new backup for Malik Willis. Now the Dolphins have two former Packers QBs. pic.twitter.com/UWi7jfGYpp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2026

Despite his arm talent, McCord failed to make the active roster with the Philadelphia Eagles after they selected him with pick No. 181 in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Packers signed him to a one-year contract in January after he spent his rookie season on the Eagles practice squad.

In Green Bay, he developed nicely under Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, a QB guru. He led the preseason in passing yards (344) and passing touchdowns (four). The NFC North club, however, wasn't expected to carry another QB alongside backup Tyrod Taylor and starter Jordan Love.

McCord now has much better job security in Miami and may be a better fit for its scheme. Ewers battled a groin injury throughout preseason, but it's apparent the new offense didn't suit him. He went 1-of-8 passing for 27 yards in preseason.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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