The old saying of "it's about who you know" has never meant so much more to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kyle McCord.
Philadelphia selected McCord in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after four seasons in college with Ohio State and Syracuse. The man wearing the number 19 jersey will join the Eagles' quarterback room, consisting of Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Little did McCord know that a coach he connected with back in the eighth grade would impact where he would land in the NFL.
How McCord and Eagles QB coach Scot Loeffler's connection began
While speaking with the media Friday, McCord shared a remarkable story about how he first met Eagles quarterback coach Scot Loeffler when he was the offensive coordinator for Boston College. The connection started in eighth grade, but it didn't end there despite McCord choosing Ohio State.
"We go way back. When I was in eighth grade, he was at Boston College, and he offered me a scholarship in eighth grade. So I've known him forever, and we've kept in touch too. He's one of the few college coaches that I didn't play for that I still have a lot of conversation with and now to be playing for him, you never know how your paths are going to cross and so to be in his first year here and obviously my first year in the NFL being together is pretty sweet."
McCord played with the Buckeyes for his first three seasons in college, but he didn't start until his junior year. He passed for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He decided to transfer to Syracuse, where he would go on to lead the nation in passing yards with 4,779 while adding 34 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
After Loeffler's run at Boston College, he landed the head coach job at Bowling Green, where he turned around the Falcons football program to make bowl games in the last three years. He would leave Bowling Green in February.
This will be the first time McCord and Loeffler have worked together, but how important they are can't go unnoticed. Both guys' first times in Philadelphia can help the two build their working relationship more than the other quarterbacks can.
No question, Hurts will be the starter, and McKee goes in as the favorite to be the backup quarterback. McCord could challenge that backup job if he takes in the coaching from Loeffler.
