One of the obvious questions facing the Detroit Lions in the 2026 offseason is finding depth at the quarterback position. Project quarterback Hendon Hooker was cut ahead of this past season, leaving Kyle Allen as Detroit's backup for the 2025 season. Now, Allen is poised to hit free agency, and the Lions have zero answers behind Jared Goff. As durable as Goff has been, you still want to add a backup as well as an emergency option over the next few months of the offseason. One potential opportunity has opened up with the Philadelphia Eagles moving on from Kyle McCord.
Inside the Birds, Andrew DiCecco reported that Philadelphia's quarterback had his contract expire and would now hit free agency. McCord has already been speculated to be a fit for the Lions and is a nice low-cost addition who has experience working with a playoff contender. McCord was drafted in the sixth round in the 2025 draft and didn't have any starting experience outside the preseason. Still, it is a nice dart to throw, hoping to find a cheap answer at the position.
Even if McCord doesn't prove himself in the offseason, there is reason to believe he could be a solid emergency option. The Lions previously spent time with Hooker attempting to develop the overlooked signal caller into a long-term backup option. McCord can be utilized in the same role and offers far more potential upside as a passer.
Lions Should Take a Chance on Second-Year Quarterback Kyle McCord
McCord holds the single-season passing record for Syracuse, putting up 4,779 yards in the 2024 season. It was enough to get the limited athlete drafted, and it remains proven experience that could attract interest from teams looking to add inexpensive depth. For Detroit, it makes sense to add names that aren't going to be a distraction for Goff.
There aren't any questions around the Lions' quarterback situation, making it all the clearer that there isn't reason to add a threat or pay top-dollar for a veteran when Goff has proven allergic to missing starts since joining Detroit doesn't need a top backup option, but a project that perhaps can offer the team realiability as Goff ages over the next handful of seasons.
McCord fits this description perfectly and makes sense as an early offseason addition to take the pressure off, bringing another backup option. McCord is an easy and inexpensive signing that allows you to focus on building back the offensive line and retooling a defense that collapsed yet again at the end of the 2025 season. All of this adds up to explaining the fit and why the Lions are the perfect landing spot for the pending free agent.