Aug 22, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kyle McCord (19) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Once again, as has been a tradition for years, the Philadelphia Eagles faced the New York Jets in the preseason. The reigning Super Bowl champions closed out meaningless football with a win, defeating the Jets 19-17.
Here are three takeaways from Friday night's win:
The Eagles anointed their QB3
In last week's loss against the Cleveland Browns, the Eagles regularly switched out Kyle McCord and Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. That switching continued well into the fourth quarter, suggesting that the Eagles still felt a need to evaluate the two young QBs.
Well, there wasn't a single switch during the entirety of Friday's game. Kyle McCord started the game at quarterback, and he played the entire game at quarterback.
McCord's performance was inconsistent, and while he certainly wasn't helped by receivers dropping multiple passes that were right on the money, he struggled mightily toward the end of the game.
On the heels of the Jets' 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that cut the score to just 19-17, the Eagles got the ball back on their own 16-yard line with three minutes left in the game. After a false start penalty, McCord scrambled for five yards on 2nd & 17 and threw an incomplete pass on 3rd & 12.
The Eagles' goal was undoubtedly for McCord to execute a three-minute drill; instead, the Birds went three-and-out and gained a grand total of negative-two yards.
McCord also had a pretty bad interception. He had ample time to throw from a clean pocket, but instead he fired a deep pass into double coverage:
have a day @malachi_moore13
📺: #PHIvsNYJ on WCBS pic.twitter.com/mRecKYimCZ
Overall, McCord went 15-for-35 (42.8%) for 136 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. Just like last week's performance, those aren't exactly inspiring numbers.
Either way, by not playing DTR at all on Friday night, the Eagles sent a clear message: the Philly kid is their third-string quarterback.
New additions made an impact
Wide receiver John Metchie III and cornerback Jakorian Bennett, acquired on Aug. 18 and Aug. 5, respectively, both had flash plays in Friday's game.
Metchie's Eagles debut was brief, as was to be expected. He started the game at wide receiver and hauled in a contested catch on the Eagles' first offensive play of the game:
John Metchie’s first catch as an Eagle: pic.twitter.com/g0qOK0W0Bj
Especially considering wide receiver Johnny Wilson's season-ending injury and surgery on Aug. 20, Howie Roseman's acquisition of Metchie on Aug. 18 seems serendipitous.
Fellow newcomer Jakorian Bennett also made his presence known. In his second preseason appearance with the Eagles, Bennett played tight coverage all night, registering five tackles and one pass breakup.
Adoree' Jackson, who didn't play tonight, still may start at CB2 across from Quinyon Mitchell in week one. However, Bennett has flashed playmaking abilities in each of the last two weeks.
Especially for someone who arrived just two weeks ago and may still be learning defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme, Bennett has looked promising.
And finally...
The preseason is over
Meaningless, consequence-less football is officially finished. The next time the Philadelphia Eagles step onto the field, it will be to unveil their Super Bowl LIX banner, and then to begin their quest to repeat as champions against the reviled Dallas Cowboys.
The next time the Philadelphia Eagles step onto the field, it will mean something. It will mean everything.
Next up, the Eagles will begin the 2025 regular season against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, Sept. 4.
