Josh McCown’s retirement didn’t stick. Sort of like someone else who wore a green jersey (Brett Favre). The ultimate journeyman, McCown resurfaced Saturday as a Philadelphia Eagle. This is his 12th stop — 11 in the NFL — in a career that began in 2002. McCown goes from Gang Green to Fly Eagles Fly, as Philly is desperate for a backup QB with Nick Foles in Jacksonville and Nate Sudfeld nursing a broken wrist. Oh, and if you wonder why the journeyman jaunt continues, McCown is guaranteed $2 million and could earn up to $5.4M in 2019. That pushes his career earnings over the $50M mark.
Cardinals: 2002-05
Josh McCown was the third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, 81st overall, in 2002. He was the fourth quarterback chosen, going behind David Carr, Joey Harrington and Patrick Ramsey, all first-rounders. McCown spent four seasons with the Cardinals and made 22 starts. He went 10-12 as a starter. McCown threw 25 TD passes and 29 picks in red.
Lions: 2006
In March 2006, McCown signed a two-year contract worth $6 million with the Detroit Lions, believing he would have the chance to start. Jon Kitna got the nod and McCown sought a trade after the season, ,which saw him play in two games with no stats.
Raiders: 2007
On Draft Day in 2007, the Lions traded McCown and wide receiver Mike Williams to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a 2007 fourth-round draft pick, which the Lions used to select cornerback A. J. Davis. McCown went 2-7 as a starter for Oakland, throwing 10 TD passes and 11 picks.
Dolphins: 2008
On Feb. 29, 2008, McCown signed a two-year contract worth $6.25 million with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent. He did not see much action in preseason and Chad Pennington was named the starter. On Aug. 29, McCown was sent to the Panthers for a seventh-round pick.
Panthers: 2008-09
McCown spent two seasons as a Panther, throwing six passes and completing one for two yards. He sprained his knee and foot in his lone appearance, and was placed on IR.
2010: Hartford Colonials (UFL)
A free agent once again, McCown took a different road, signing with the UFL Hartford Colonials. McCown passed for 1,463 yards and 10 touchdowns with eight interceptions in eight games and was a team captain for the Colonoials. His 79.3 passer rating was the highest in the UFL.
2011: 49ers
McCown then signed with the San Francisco 49ers for $810,000. The team released the quarterback on Sept. 3.
2011-13: Bears
On Nov. 23, 2011, McCown signed with the Chicago Bears, as a backup to Caleb Hanie, after an injury to Jay Cutler. McCown spent three seasons in Chicago, making seven starts and going 4-3. He thre 15 TD passes and 5 picks. He was awarded the team’s Brian Piccolo Award in 2014. Jay Cutler accepted the award for McCown because the quarterback …
2014: Buccaneers
… signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March of 2014. He was 1-10 as a starter for the Bucs, throwing for 2,206 yards. On Feb. 11, 2015, he was released after one season.
2015-16: Browns
On Feb. 27, 2015, McCown signed a three-year contract worth $14 million with the Cleveland Browns. In two seasons in Cleveland he matched his starting mark in Tampa, going 1-10. He was released by the Browns on Feb. 7, 2017.
2017-18: Jets
On March 20, 2017, McCown signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the New York Jets. He started 13 games that season and went 5-8. On March 13, 2018, McCown signed a one-year, $10 million contract to remain with the Jets. He went 0-3 as a starter, filling in for injured rookie Sam Darnold.
2019: Eagles
Josh McCown announced his retirement on June 17, 2019. He was going to become an analyst for ESPN. Philly needed a backup for Carson Wentz.
