After 17 years in the NFL, Josh McCown is calling it a career. On Monday, the longtime QB bid farewell to the game in a post on The Player’s Tribune. 
“At the end of the day, 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. I hope I did that,” McCown wrote. “And I made sure that when my number was called, I was prepared, and I gave it everything I had, every time. I may not have turned out to be the franchise quarterback I set out to be back at Cardinals rookie camp, but I’m extremely proud of the career I had.”
McCown didn’t become the face of the Cardinals as he had hoped, but he did enjoy nearly two decades in the NFL while spending time with ten different teams. His journey also included a pit stop in the UFL in 2010, a deal that almost didn’t come to pass when the Bears offered him a contract. Remarkably, McCown declined the opportunity in Chicago and stuck it out with the Hartford Colonials. He later said that the notion of bailing on the commitment “didn’t sit well” with him and he didn’t want to set a bad example for his children in which he would give his “word to somebody until something better comes along and then break that.”
McCown had some memorable moments on the field throughout his career, but he will largely be remembered for his high-character, intense work ethic, and willingness to help groom younger quarterbacks. After starting 13 games for the Jets in 2017, McCown put his ego aside and agreed to return to New York as a mentor for rookie Sam Darnold. Now, McCown will continue to put his football wisdom and knowledge to good use, either as a broadcaster or coach.
Happy Retirement Josh McCown! Always seemed like a class act. Will never forget the time he cried over the Buccaneers record.
Got a feeling there will a lot of folks in Tampa crying over the Buccaneers record this year too.
Good luck Josh!
bummer he was 1 game away from playing in 100
I loved him with the Browns, and I’m sure a lot of other fanbases would agree. He’ll make a great coach if he ever chooses to go that route.
He was always one of the most stand-up guys on some pretty bad Browns teams. He played just as hard no matter what their record was.
I thought he signed in Miami
Nah that was Fitzy
Darnold could not have had a better mentor. Class guy. He would be a great coach.
$49 Million in career earnings. Nice Job. Enjoy retirement.
He played on a number of different teams, yet it seems like pretty much everyone who either played with or coached him had positive things to say about McCown. He gave max effort every time he played, which was often on some very bad teams.
McCown Retires?
Are you serious?
Or are you JOSH-ing?
Bear fans thank you for that great performance against Dallas where you passed for 348 yards 4 TDs and posted a 141.9 rating. We rarely saw Cutler look that good.
Dolph Lundgren played for the Jets?
It was a secret experiment arranged by Roger Goodell to gauge whether Sweden would be a good location for NFL expansion.
Caption of the photo, “Dude, just play out your rookie deal, and get the heck away from this team. I been here 2 seasons, and I’m ready to quit.”
Quality dude, by all accounts. That story about not leaving his UFL deal despite getting another NFL shot, absolutely cements it. Very few people in professional sports maintain that kind of integrity.
All the best in retirement, Josh! It’d be great if the Jets could keep you on as QB coach, but Sam’s better off for having you last year.