Packers clear the runway for Kyle McCord to be QB3

On Saturday, just two days after the Green Bay Packers’ preseason opener, the Packers announced that they have parted ways with quarterback Kyron Drones, who was originally signed by the team as an undrafted free agent immediately following the 2026 NFL draft. Drones signed with Green Bay for just $5,000 in guarantees, which ranked 10th among 12 UDFA signings at the quarterback position this offseason.

Head coach Matt LaFleur has said in the past that it’s difficult to rep four quarterbacks in practice, and that his preference is that he holds onto three. So with that in mind, it shouldn’t be shocking that Drones was released after his one-pass attempt (an incompletion) and three-sack performance in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Notably, one of those sacks came on a screen where Drones just never let go of the ball.

With Drones out of the picture in the quarterback room, it seems clear that the Packers will roll with Tyrod Taylor (as the backup) and Kyle McCord (likely as a practice squadder) moving forward. Green Bay played their starters for just one drive in Week 1 of the preseason, so expect to see a lot more of Taylor and McCord in upcoming preseason games.

McCord was picked up by the Packers as a reserve-futures signing (typically the deals that practice squaders sign to be retained on the offseason roster) back in January. As a rookie sixth-round pick last year, he spent the entire season on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad.

Last preseason, McCord went 24 of 56 for 191 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions with the Eagles. McCord was 12 of 16 for 102 yards and a 91.1 passer rating in Green Bay’s loss to Pittsburgh in the 2026 preseason opener. He led the team in every major passing statistic, other than sacks and sack yardage — which was held by Drones.

On Friday, LaFleur said that the Packers didn’t suffer any long-term injuries during their Week 1 preseason game, which means that offensive lineman Darian Kinnard and defensive lineman Anthony Campbell should be fine moving forward. Green Bay now has an open roster spot on its 91-man offseason roster, but it’s unclear which direction they will take. Recently, they’ve been working out tight ends, receivers and safeties, but they’ve also signed players at those positions already.

The Packers signed safeties Trey Dean III and Tra Fluellen on August 11th, claimed receiver Chris Hilton Jr. on August 10th, signed receiver Kisean Johnson on August 9th and signed tight ends McCallan Castles and Drew Biber (who has already been released) on August 4th. They also signed receiver Kaden Prather on July 31st and tight end Thomas Yassmin, the team’s international exemption player, on July 28th.