The Green Bay Packers have added a new name to their quarterback room, signing Kyle McCord to a reserve/future contract on January 20, 2026. McCord will join the team's 90-man offseason roster, where he will compete for a role during training camp and the preseason.
This move comes amidst some uncertainty at the backup quarterback position. Malik Willis, who served as the primary backup and saw action in the 2025 Wild Card game while battling injuries, is one of the team's nine unrestricted free agents this offseason. The signing of McCord provides the Packers with a developmental arm to evaluate throughout the spring and summer, regardless of how the situation with Willis resolves.
McCord, a rookie for the 2026 season, enters the NFL after a collegiate career that will be scrutinized by the Packers' coaching staff. He will have the opportunity to learn the offensive system and work alongside the established starter. These reserve/future signings are standard procedure for building out camp competition and identifying potential depth pieces. McCord will likely compete with any other quarterbacks the Packers bring in, whether through re-signing Willis, another free agent, or a draft pick, for the QB2 or QB3 jobs.
While this signing is far from a guarantee of a roster spot in September, it is a low-risk, high-reward transaction that exemplifies the Packers' methodical approach to roster building. It ensures they have a full quarterback group for offseason workouts and allows them to assess a young player's fit within their organization as they plan for the 2026 season.