The Miami Dolphins, temporarily carrying just one quarterback as the cut-down deadline in the NFL approached Sunday, swung what could prove to be an important trade, acquiring Green Bay backup quarterback Kyle McCord, who had just thrown four touchdown passes in the preseason finale.
The Dolphins reached the 53-man limit by 6 p.m. Aug. 30 with a series of moves that included cutting veteran linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who started 16 games last season and made 129 tackles. That decision clears the way for second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez to start and settles the key position battle in training camp.
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The Dodson move was the most unexpected
of those dropped from the roster. The other major moves involved placing former first-round pick Kenneth Grant, a defensive lineman, and linebacker Trey Moore on injured reserve with a designation to return in a month. They will miss games against the Raiders, 49ers, Chiefs and Vikings but would be eligible to return Oct. 4 vs. Minnesota. Grant has an undisclosed injury; Moore's injury is an ankle.
Other observations on the players making the initial 53-man roster:
- Of the 13 players the Dolphins drafted this spring, all remain with the Dolphins, including sixth-rounder DJ Campbell, a guard, and seventh-rounder Max Llewellyn, a defensive end.
- Of the 10 unrestricted free agents the team signed, five remain: linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr., punter Bradley Pinion, receiver Jalen Tolbert, edge rusher Josh Uche and quarterback Malik Willis.
- The Dolphins also signed 16 free agents, with six making the roster: long snapper Tucker Addington, safety Zayne Anderson, edge rusher Robert Beal Jr., tackle Marques Cox, edge rusher Clelin Ferrell and tight end Ben Sims. Additionally, cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. was placed on the physically unable to perform list with cornerback Storm Duck.
- The Dolphins retained 26 players on offense, 24 on defense and three specialists.
It was a busy weekend for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who traded backup QB Quinn Ewers to Jacksonvilleand cut Cam Miller, momentarily leaving the Dolphins with Malik Willis as their lone quarterback. But Sullivan turned around and traded for McCord, effectively swapping Ewers for McCord since both trades involved the same 2028 sixth-round pick.
McCord, who turns 24 next month, was a sixth-round pick of Philadelphia in 2025 but has not appeared in an NFL game.
In Green Bay’s preseason finale, a 42-38 victory over Arizona, McCord completed 22 of 35 passes for 226 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 119.5 passer rating.
“He did a heck of a job,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “ … I think he definitely has the demeanor, no doubt about it. He’s in total control out there.”
Backup quarterback had been an issue for the Dolphins this summer. Mark Gronowski was cut and then re-signed. Ewers missed time with a groin injury. Cam Miller tended to force the ball. Combined in the three preseason games, the trio didn’t lead any touchdown drives and had zero touchdown passes, three interceptions and a 34.2 passer rating.
McCord’s name should be familiar to football fans in South Florida. While playing for Syracuse in 2024, he threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns to beat Miami 42-38 and knock the No. 6 Hurricanes out of ACC title contention. He rallied the Orange from a 21-0 deficit.
McCord finished that season with 4,779 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The previous season at Ohio State, he threw for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. During his four-year collegiate career, McCord had 61 touchdown passes against 20 interceptions.
While at Syracuse, McCord had a weekly radio show and his own line of honey barbecue cheddar potato chips made by Terrell’s.
McCord grew up in New Jersey and chose jersey No. 6 “because of Mark Sanchez,” he once said of the former Jets QB.
Before the 2025 draft, NFL.com analyst wrote this scouting report on McCord:
“Pocket passer with good size who played in a high-volume, pro-passing scheme that should give him a head start as a pro. McCord was too inconsistent at Ohio State, relative to the talent around him, but he proved to be confident and productive last season at Syracuse without that same level of supporting talent. 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.
“McCord seeks to attack coverages vertically instead of operating as a ‘Checkdown Charlie.’ While he can hit chunk throws, his decision-making and ball placement aren’t always good fits for his gunslinger mentality. His mobility inside and outside the pocket is average. McCord has good size, adequate talent and commendable resilience. He could find a home as a backup quarterback with modest upside.”
Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at HHabib@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins find new backup quarterback in Packers' Kyle McCord
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