Josh McCown: “I’m Proud of How my Career has Gone”

Joshua Treadwell McCown, simply known as Josh McCown, decided to retire from playing professional football after 17 years. One of the eldest players in the league at the moment and one of a kind journeyman announced his retirement yesterday.

“And now, strange as it feels to say, after 17 years … that journey is coming to an end,” McCown wrote in The Players Tribune, where he revealed his decision to stop playing. “Today I’m officially retiring.”

In 17 years as a pro, McCown played for 10 different clubs. He was never a leading star or a QB projected to be a cornerstone for some project, but his personality and the fact that he changed so many jerseys was something which made him recognizable.

Journey over: Josh McCown was sometimes the starting QB, often the backup & always among the most-respected & well-liked players on every team he was on.#Jets #Browns #Bucs #Bears #49ers #Panthers #Dolphins #Raiders #Lions #AZCardinals

Story: https://t.co/vD50Xx5sOZ pic.twitter.com/3rIipmCSMO

— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) June 18, 2019

He played mostly for the teams who were in the middle of a reconstruction, often being a backup QB or the one who is helping young guys to adjust to the NFL demands after playing in college.

That was McCown’s role during his last journey when he played for the Jets and mentored the rising star and the No.3 from the 2018 NFL draft, Sam Darnold. The youngster was not only learning from his older colleague on the field, but also away from the Jets’ training facilities. The two lived in the same building, often staying late at night going through schemes and offensive plans.

Jets’ CEO Christopher Johnson stated that $10 million franchise gave McCown for his last one-year contract in 2018 was “money well spent.”

McCown was drafted in 2002, and was the last active player from that class at the moment of retirement. Arizona Cardinals picked him in the third round, as the 81st overall pick. He stayed with the Cardinals three years, before heading to Detroit. A year after he went to Oakland. In 2008 Miami Dolphins signed McCown, but he didn’t play at all. After that came the Panthers for two years, before heading to play for Hartford Colonials, in the UFL.

His comeback to the NFL was with the 49ers where he didn’t play, but McCown managed to revive his career in Chicago where he stays for two years. The next stop was at Tampa, then Cleveland, and finally the Jets.

In 2017 when he landed in New York, McCown posted his best numbers, 18 TDs, along with 2,926 yards all that in 13 games. The teammates voted him to be a team MVP that season.

In the end, the guy from Jacksonville, Texas ended his NFL episode with 17,707 yards, 98 TDs, and 82 interceptions.

“No matter what team I was on, I tried to serve it to the best of my ability, and I tried to influence my team in a positive manner,” he said.

In an emotional farewell, written yesterday, the player wanted to thank his wife for being massive support, his family, high-school coach Matt Turner, and everybody who helped him throughout his career.

The journeyman label was something he gladly accepted, although some are looking at it with a certain dose of subduction.

“But looking back, I’m proud of how my career has gone. I don’t shy away from the journeyman label. I embrace it, full force,” he wrote. “Because it’s been one heck of a journey.”

McCown won’t cut all ties with football now. It will be totally the opposite. Shortly after the announcement of his retirement, the player revealed one other news. He will be an NFL analysis on ESPN.

A guy with such a vast experience, who knows how things work in a large number of organizations is perfect for such a position. For sure, him knowing a lot of people and destinations in the league guarantees good and interesting analysis.

McCown also said that he wants to help his two sons in developing, as they both play football at the quarterback position.

His debut at ESPN will be on TNF.