Syracuse Orange was a great place to do business for Kyle McCord. No doubt about that. But as the QB with a soon-to-be $5.3 billion AFC future gears up for the biggest leap of his career, the whispers aren’t about the numbers or the next landing spot. They’re about what he left behind. For all the reps he logged in the Carrier Dome, there’s still a trace of unfinished business haunting the Horseshoe. And if you asked him, would he say the same about his ex, Ohio State Buckeyes?
McCord’s journey is one of dual homes and familiar echoes. He arrived at Ohio State in 2021 with all the fanfare expected of a blue-chip QB. He earned the starting job by 2023, and despite leading the Buckeyes to an 11-0 start, the narrative shifted fast after a narrow loss to Michigan. Suddenly, the spotlight grew harsh. Kyle McCord, much like Jalen Hurts once did between Alabama and Oklahoma, found himself split between two elite college programs—both of which shaped him in different ways. “Yes, I know. I mean, I definitely have, you know, a lot of great memories there for sure,” McCord said in a 1-on-1 sit-down with The State of Orange. “But I mean, I do, I do feel like I had unfinished business there. And so, you know, not getting that opportunity to go back…”
He didn’t linger in regret. He found his second home in Syracuse, and with it came the degree, the reps, and a fresh start. “People will say a lot of different things about it, and so,” he continued. “But I mean, I definitely think that Syracuse is home now, and got my degree from Syracuse too, which I think is another key part of that equation.” Still, the Ohio State bond runs deep. “Like when I went to the combine, like seeing all those guys was awesome. And so, like I said, like if I could, you know, go and do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.” His voice isn’t bitter—it’s reflective. Like a player who understands the business, the emotion, and the duality of college football’s path.
And for all the chatter about support systems and change of scenery, the tape tells a compelling story. At OSU, Kyle McCord was surrounded by a war chest of blue-chip talent and nearly walked the table in the Big Ten. The U-Mich loss stung, and the calls for a new direction echoed louder than expected. Still, 11-1 as a first-year starter in Columbus? That’s saying something. Then came 2024 in upstate New York, where McCord went 10-3 as the starter for a less heralded squad and threw for 4,779 yards with 34 touchdowns and 12 picks. He didn’t just adjust—he elevated. The arm talent flashed, the decision-making sharpened, and his ability to lead a less star-studded cast put evaluators back on notice.
Now, McCord’s NFL picture is starting to form, and Pittsburgh Steelers is the first concrete shape in the fog. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the former Buckeye and Orange QB will visit the Steelers next week. With only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson on the depth chart, Pittsburgh’s QB room looks like a door left cracked open. The front office has eyes on Aaron Rodgers as Plan A, but even if that blockbuster lands, it wouldn’t prevent them from developing a future option in-house. Shedeur Sanders is also in the mix and visiting the team this week, but for a franchise that has long loved tough, poised, traditional passers, McCord’s profile checks a few boxes.
No one’s mistaking Kyle McCord for a top-10 lock, but he’s a high-IQ signal-caller who can read leverage, process coverages, and throw with anticipation. He’s also unafraid of mistakes—something he pointed out in his own analysis. It’s part of his wiring. GMs love clean traits and upside, and McCord offers just enough of both.
He’s not a high-wire athlete, but he slides in the pocket well and plays within the structure. In an NFL trending back toward quick-game precision and layered throws, there’s a place for his game to grow. He may not be the crown jewel of this draft, but in the right room, he could quietly become one of its better investments.
Kyle McCord + Steelers? Sounds like a match made in Steel City
Could Kyle McCord be the next quarterback to wear black and gold? Don’t rule it out. While the Steelers have kicked the tires on big names like Rodgers, it looks like they’re seriously exploring their options in the NFL Draft—especially under center.
The latest buzz? According to reports, the Steelers are bringing in Cuse QB Kyle McCord for a visit. Adding him to the growing list of passer prospects they’ve evaluated. Sure, McCord isn’t getting Day 1 draft hype, but he’s gaining traction as a solid mid-round gem, and that’s where Pittsburgh might pounce.
ESPN draft guru Jordan Reid is totally buying the fit. “I look at Pittsburgh, I think the Steelers have a huge need for a quarterback, whether it’s an early round or a mid-round guy,” Reid said recently on Syracuse Orange Sports’ YouTube channel. “He definitely fits into that situation.”
Reid even threw out some other teams—like the Cowboys, Dolphins, and Jets—but emphasized, “The Steelers are one team I definitely think he fits on.” It just might click like clockwork.
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