On Monday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported that the Eagles are releasing rookie QB Kyle McCord, leaving three signal-callers on the depth chart, with Hurts as the starter:

• Jalen Hurts
• Tanner McKee
• Sam Howell

Kyle McCord, the odd man out in Philadelphia

Selected with the No. 181 pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Syracuse, McCord’s stint in Philadelphia could prove to be short-lived, unless the Eagles re-sign him to their practice squad.

While McCord made an impression during his time in college, his preseason performance left a lot to be desired. Especially last time out, failing to prove Sirianni why he should make the active roster alongside Hurts.

McCord completed just 15 of 35 passes for 136 yards during the Eagles‘ 19-17 win over the New York Jets, averaging only 3.9 yards per attempt. Before that, he went 8-of-16 for 47 yards and a touchdown in the 13-22 loss to the Cleveland Browns. It was a slight improvement compared to his preseason debut during the 34-27 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he completed just one of five passes for eight yards with an interception. Still, Howell’s arrival sealed his fate.

Eagles QB room ready for season opener

The reigning Super Bowl champions will kick off the 2025 NFL season at home against division rivals Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, September 4. With Hurts under center, Sirianni has already defined which players will be on the bench in case his starter gets hurt.

McKee, who is entering his third season in the City of the Brotherly Love, already knows the playbook in and out. Howell may be new on the team, but his NFL background makes him a reliable alternative, especially compared to McCord’s inexperience as a pro.

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to move pieces as they intend to go back to back on Super Bowl-winning runs. Hence, they traded for quarterback Sam Howell to be the backup for Jalen Hurts. However, after what we’ve seen during preseason, it’s now time to reveal how the team’s quarterback depth chart looks like ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the trade involves a 2026 fifth round pick and a 2027 seventh round pick going to Minnesota. The Eagles receive Howell and a sixth round in 2026 in exchange.

Now, the QB depth chart looks as follows:

• QB 1: Jalen Hurts
• QB 2: Sam Howell
• QB 3: Tanner McKee
• QB 4: Kyle McCord

Will Tanner McKee stay on the roster?

Tanner McKee has been stellar during preseason for the Eagles. So much so, that it’s been reported by various outlets that he might have some suitors to trade for him. Hence, bringing Howell might open up the door for McKee’s departure if an offer is enticing enough for the Eagles.

McKee was brilliant against the Bengals, completing 20/25 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. However, NFL insider Albert Breer reported that the Eagles like him a lot, so the offer would have to be really strong. McKee is now nursing a hand injury.

It’s yet another backup for the Eagles

While McKee was there last year, the first backup was Kenny Pickett, who is now on the Browns. Back in 2023, it was Marcus Mariota behind Jalen Hurts. before Mariota, Gardner Minshew was tasked to play behind Hurts. Now, Minshew is the backup on the Chiefs.

This means that Philadelphia is now welcoming a new face on the roster. Howell is a very different quarterback than Hurts. The playbook is the same but his style is more of a pocket passer, not that mobile, and less physical than Hurts. He is more of a traditional passer while Hurts is a physical phenomenon.

Sacks can have a significant negative impact on a quarterback’s performance and the overall success of the offense. But during the 2023 season, some quarterbacks who have been sacked multiple times are enjoying a winning record, such as Jalen Hurts, who has been sacked 32 times and the Eagles have a winning record of 10-2 overall.

The more sacks a quarterback takes, the more pressure they will feel from the defense, which can lead to mistakes. It is necessary for quarterbacks to be mentally and physically prepared for sacks.

Most sacked quarterbacks enterings Week 14

It’s not hard to guess who is leading the list of the top 10 most sacked quarterbacks entering Week 14. Most of them have weaknesses on their offensive lines, which lead to sacks. First on the list is Sam Howell of the Washington Commanders with 58 sacks.

The second is rookie Bryce Young with 44 sacks. This season, the Carolina Panthers are a disaster compared to previous years. No other quarterback has more than 50 sacks.

Teams that want to avoid sacks must work on having a solid offensive line since that is the first line of defense against sacks. Investing in talented and experienced offensive linemen is essential for providing adequate protection for the quarterback.

Some quarterbacks are slow with the ball in hand, quarterbacks who can consistently get rid of the ball within two to three seconds are less likely to be pressured or tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

How does the strength of an offensive line impact the number of sacks?

Offensive linemen are responsible for blocking defenders and creating time for the quarterback to throw the ball. When an offensive line is strong and effective, the quarterback has more time to make decisions and complete passes, reducing the likelihood of sacks.

What are some strategies that quarterbacks can use to avoid sacks?

Quarterbacks also play a significant role in preventing sacks by making quick decisions, using their mobility, and understanding the defensive pressure. Mobile quarterbacks can buy time for their receivers to get open or extend plays for potential gains by scrambling out of pressure.

After seven weeks of the season, there are three quarterbacks who have faced the most sacks. Statistics often highlight the league’s superstars, but subpar players stand out in certain metrics. One such player is Sam Howell, who is having an intriguing season, especially since it’s his first year as a starting quarterback in the league.

Despite showing promise for the Commanders, Howell has emerged as the most-sacked quarterback, having been sacked 40 times in seven matches. This number is particularly alarming because it represents 12 more sacks than the next player on the list. While the offense has displayed some strong performances this season, the team boasts a disappointing a 3-4 record.

Howell has been throwing more often than expected, partly due to the team’s struggles. His efforts to complete comebacks pushed him to the eighth position in passing yards, having accumulated 1,749 to average almost 250 yards per game in seven matchups. He has also thrown nine touchdown passes and seven interceptions.

Daniel Jones Has the Highest Sack Percentage

Howell leads the pack in this category with an alarming 5.7 sacks per game. But following closely behind is Daniel Jones, ranking second in total sacks with 28, and Justin Fields sits third with 24. The Giants have encountered substantial struggles this season, primarily due to issues with their offensive linemen.

Jones has been under immense pressure, taking 28 sacks in just five matchups. This places him almost on par with Howell as his play is resulting in an average of 5.6 sacks per game. However, an even more concerning statistic for the Giants’ starting quarterback is the sack percentage per pass attempt.

Jones is the first name in this statistic with a 15.6% sack percentage, showcasing that he is often under fire behind the offensive line. This issue is not only affecting the offense’s productivity but also Jones’ health, as he has missed two games due to a neck injury. New York’s problems in protecting him were most evident against the Seahawks when he was sacked 10 times.

When Was Howell Drafted by the Commanders?

Howell was drafted by the Commanders in 2022 with the 144th selection.

A sack is awarded to a defensive player when he tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass. Sacks can also be awarded if the quarterback is forced out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage to avoid being sacked, or if he fumbles the ball behind the line of scrimmage.

Sacks are important because they can disrupt the rhythm of an offense and force the quarterback to make quick decisions. They can also lead to turnovers, as a quarterback is more likely to fumble the ball if he is under pressure. Additionally, sacks can cause injuries to the quarterback, which can take him out of the game and force the backup quarterback to play.

Who are the 10 quarterbacks with the most sacks entering Week 7?

According to Pro Football Reference, the quarterback with the most sacks entering Week 7 is Sam Howell with 34 sacks, he is the only one close to forty sacks while Daniel Jones (28 sacks) is the second most sacked quarterback on the list.

All starting quarterbacks have been sacked in at least one game in the last six weeks, as have some backups. For example, Brock Purdy has been sacked 11 times since Week 1, while Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes has only been sacked 6 times.

The most common way for a defensive player to get a sack is to rush the passer. This means that he rushes the quarterback from the line of scrimmage in an attempt to tackle him before he can throw the ball. Defensive players can also get sacks by blitzing, which is when they come from unexpected angles to try to sack the quarterback.

Quarterbacks can try to avoid sacks by getting rid of the ball quickly, either by throwing it away or by handing it off to a running back. They can also try to improve their pass protection by having their offensive linemen block better.

Which quarterbacks are most at risk of being sacked?

The quarterbacks who are most at risk of being sacked are those who play behind poor offensive lines. Additionally, quarterbacks who are mobile and like to scramble outside of the pocket are also more at risk of being sacked.

What can teams do to protect their quarterbacks from being sacked?

Teams can protect their quarterbacks from being sacked by improving their offensive line. This can be done by drafting and developing better offensive linemen, or by signing free agent offensive linemen. Additionally, teams can use play-calling to help protect their quarterbacks. For example, teams can run the ball more often, or they can call quick passes that allow the quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly.

Josh Allen has undoubtedly established himself as a premier playmaker in the NFL over the past couple of years leading the Buffalo Bills. While Buffalo have encountered obstacles in achieving playoff success, they consistently begin each season as contenders for the championship.

One of Allen’s qualities is his ability to make plays off-script, often displaying improvisational skills that are nearly unparalleled in the league. Additionally, his running ability combined with his strong arm makes him a multifaceted quarterback.

However, Allen has had some struggles in recent times. One noteworthy concern is his ball security as he currently ranks third in the league for interceptions thrown with a total of four. This puts him behind only two other players in this statistic: Jimmy Garoppolo and Sam Howell.

Josh Allen Has Fewer Interceptions than Just Two Quarterbacks

While Allen’s remarkable playmaking abilities continue to shine, addressing this issue of interceptions will be crucial for maintaining the Bills’ championship aspirations and solidifying his status as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.

Allen was particularly responsible for his team’s lone defeat of the season, which came against the New York Jets in week 1. On that Monday Night Football had three picks in what ended up being loss in overtime. His other interception was in the victory over Washington.

These four interceptions are a figure that only two players surpass. The leader in this category is Garoppolo of the Raiders with six interceptions. Behind him is Commanders quarterback Howell because he has thrown five interceptions.

Which Players Have Four Interceptions this Season?

Allen isn’t the sole player with four interceptions, as he is joined by Daniel Jones, Matthew Stafford, Justin Fields and Zach Wilson.

During the start of each campaign, all the 32 teams try to leave a good impression to prove that their season will not end soon. Unfortunately, not all the clubs can do it due to a lack of talent of their rosters.

Of course, the quarterback position is crucial for every team, and they must do everything to protect him during the games. Nevertheless, there’s a player who doesn’t get too much support from his offensive line and is really struggling with the sacks.

Sam Howell is on track to become the most sacked QB in NFL history

Sam Howell is facing a huge problem, and it’s largely attributed to his teammates. The Washington Commanders player currently holds the unenviable position of being the most sacked quarterback in the league, and he’s on pace to potentially break an NFL record.

Howell has been sacked 19 times this year, averaging 6.3 times per game. If this trend persists over the next 14 games, he would finish the season with 107 sacks, surpassing the current record held by David Carr with the Texans in 2002 by 31 sacks.

In terms of yards lost, Howell is also on a trajectory to break that record. The Commanders quarterback has lost 124 yards due to sacks, and he’s just 365 yards away from surpassing Randall Cunningham’s record, which he set in 1986 while playing for the Eagles.

What is Sam Howell’s contract with the Washington Commanders?

Sam Howell is still playing under his 4-year, $4 million rookie contract he signed in 2022.

Nevertheless, at least on the field, Ron Rivera is still the man in charge of revamping a team which put most of their faith in an extraordinary offensive coordinator like Eric Bieniemy. The mind behind Patrick Mahomes with the Chiefs.

Right now, the Washington Commanders seem way behind contenders in the NFC East like the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. However, a new starting quarterback could change that situation.

Who will be the starting quarterback of the Washington Commanders?

The Washington Commanders have officially announced that second-year quarterback, Sam Howell, will be the starter in the opener against the Arizona Cardinals on September 10.

Howell was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, when the Commnaders believed Carson Wentz was the franchise QB of the future. Now, the situation is completely different as that experiment failed.

Sam Howell clearly won the battle in training camp over Jacoby Brissett, which arrive to Washington after his latest stint with the Cleveland Browns. The third quarterback on the depth chart is Jake Fromm.

The Washington Commanders want the 2023 NFL season to be better than the previous one where they had a record of 8-8-1 overall but it was not enough to reach the postseason and that is their main objective for the upcoming season, to play in the playoffs.

However, the Commanders will begin the 2023 season with a new starting quarterback since Carson Wentz left the franchise and now they will be dependent on what Sam Howell can do during the first few weeks of the regular season.

Even though Howell is a rookie in his second year, they have Jacoby Brissett as a backup and Jake Fromm as a third option. Beyond the offense, Ron Rivera must think about the defensive line that must be reinforced before the start of the regular season.

Who is the new safety that will play for the Commanders in 2023?

According to Justin M’s league source, the Washington Commanders recently signed a former Titans safety named Joshua Kalu after he had a workout with the franchise on the morning of Aug. 7.

Before playing for the Commanders, Kalu was part of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2020 and also played for the New York Giants during the 2021 season. In 28 regular season games he has 22 solo tackles.