The Green Bay Packers wrapped up their preseason with a 42-38 thriller against the Arizona Cardinals last night, a wild game that came down to the wire at Lambeau Field. Picture this: 37 of their top players chilling on the sidelines, including 32 “roster locks” who were just spectating. So, who steps up? None other than Kyle McCord, their QB3, who didn’t just play; he absolutely balled out and made a serious, undeniable statement.
McCord’s “Solid Summer” Culminates in a Four-TD Showdown
Talk about a performance! This dude, the third-string signal-caller, played the entire game under center, slinging it for 22 of 35 completions, 226 yards, and an impressive four touchdowns against the Cardinals. Can you believe it? McCord has been quietly building something special this summer, with his preseason numbers now sitting at 37 completions on 70 passes for 446 yards and those same four scores. That’s a solid 6.3 yards per attempt average for the whole summer. It’s wild because backup QB Tyrod Taylor, who finished the preseason 8 of 16 for just 38 yards at a mere 2.4 yards per attempt, was active but didn’t even take a single snap! Clearly, he was shielded from contact, which tells you who the team is trusting with the reps, and McCord is making the absolute most of every opportunity. Even LaFleur, reportedly trying to outdo his older brother, got in on the action, calling two timeouts in the last five seconds, hoping for a Hail Mary after KiSean Johnson’s second fourth-quarter touchdown. But it was the Cardinals’ Hail Mary that ultimately fell short, batted away as the clock hit zeroes, sealing the Packers’ 42-38 victory. What a way to finish a preseason!
Rookies Shine While Depth Chart Takes Hits
While McCord was lighting it up, the defensive side saw a serious breakout star in Dani Dennis-Sutton. This mid-round pick, who was surprisingly inactive for the first two preseason games, finally suited up on the line of scrimmage and put on a show in his NFL debut. He racked up one sack, several pressures, and a couple of near-sacks too. The kid just looked like a genuine NFL rookie playing against practice squaders, which is exactly what you want to see from your young talent. Also on the field, the second-team offensive line got the full game reps, with John Williams, Donovan Jennings, Jager Burton, Travis Glover, and Anthony Belton holding it down. Interestingly, Glover, who hadn’t been working with the second-team up to this point, even shifted to replace Belton. And get this: Darian Kinnard, a guy who was the team’s sixth offensive lineman in the second half of the 2026 season, came off the bench to play right guard. Kinnard’s depth chart drop is reportedly the biggest of any returning player on the roster. It just goes to show you, preseason isn’t just about the starters, it’s about seeing who steps up, who seizes the moment, and who’s truly ready for prime time when the opportunities arise.
This preseason finale, even with so many familiar faces chilling on the bench, delivered some real drama and definitely gave us a deeper glimpse into those crucial depth chart battles. McCord’s stellar outing undoubtedly shakes things up for the quarterback room as the regular season looms, and Dennis-Sutton’s electrifying debut is a huge win for the defense. Now, it’s all about who makes those final cuts and who’s ready to bring that same intensity and energy when the games actually count. It’s going to be a wild ride from here on out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.
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