Malik Willis is still the starter, but Miami’s quarterback depth chart got a total overhaul in 24 hours, with Kyle McCord landing as the new primary backup. The Dolphins shipped off a 2028 sixth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers for McCord, continuing a wild offseason carousel in South Beach.
The Great Miami QB Shuffle Hits Hard
This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a full-on reset behind Willis, who signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal in free agency. Before McCord came in, Miami traded Quinn Ewers to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2028 sixth-round pick. On top of that, Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski were both waived. So, in the blink of an eye, the entire backup room behind Willis is new, and McCord, at 23, is the guy.
Familiar Faces Pulling the Strings
It’s not just a random addition either; there are some deep connections at play. McCord, a New Jersey native, started his college career at Ohio State before transferring to Syracuse for the 2024 season, where he led the NCAA in passing yards and earned second-team All-ACC honors. He entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, spent his rookie season on their practice squad, and then signed a reserve/futures contract with Green Bay in January. But here’s the kicker: Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley both came to Miami from Green Bay this offseason. Even Willis arrived in Miami via Green Bay! Plus, Miami’s passing game coordinator, Kevin Patullo, worked with McCord last season when Patullo was offensive coordinator in Philadelphia. It’s clear the Dolphins brass knows exactly who they’re getting in McCord, essentially swapping Ewers for him at the exact same draft capital cost.
What This Means for Both Sides
The grades are in, and CBS Sports gave the Dolphins a C+ and the Packers a C. For Green Bay, it’s a savvy move: they snag a future 2028 sixth-round pick for a player who probably wasn’t making the 53-man roster anyway. With Jordan Love firmly established as the No. 1 and veteran Tyrod Taylor signing a one-year, $2.5 million deal in May to back him up, McCord was battling for a spot that wasn’t really there. Carrying two quarterbacks is enough for Green Bay, so getting future capital is smart. For Miami, they’re betting on familiarity and a known quantity. They now roll into the season with McCord as the top option behind Willis. It’s a calculated gamble for both clubs, and we’ll see how these moves pay off when the regular season kicks off!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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