Josh McCown

At 45 years old, Josh McCown has this physical status:

Joshua Treadwell McCown (born July 4, 1979) is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) He attended Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Texas, where he was named the East Texas Player of the Year and earned All-State honorable mention honors as a senior.

McCown then played three seasons of college football for the Mustangs of Southern Methodist University, where he passed for totals of 4,022 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 34 interceptions.

He then transferred to play his final season of college football for the State Bearkats of Sam Houston State University.

In his only season with the Bearkats, he threw for 3,481 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, earning Southland Football League Player of the Year and Third-team Division I-AA All-American honors. McCown was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft and played for them for four seasons.

He has spent most of his career as a journeyman quarterback playing for 11 teams in his career.

Initially retiring after the 2018 season and joining ESPN as an analyst, he returned to the NFL on a one-year deal with the Eagles during the preseason.

He is an older brother of former NFL quarterback Luke McCown and a younger brother of former Texas A&M quarterback Randy McCown.

Early years

McCown grew up on a ranch in Jacksonville, Texas, and attended Jacksonville High School. He had a significant growth spurt in high school that helped his football career. McCown later said, "My first driver's license said 5-foot-4. At 16, I was 5–4." A coach of McCown's also said, "We knew Josh was going to be a good football player if he ever grew, but it sure took a while. He really started shooting up in the second half of his junior year." In McCown's senior year in 1997, he led the team to the playoffs and was the East Texas Player of the Year, District 17-4A Offensive Player of the Year, and an All-State honorable mention. He also played basketball and won All-District second team honors as a shooting guard his senior year. The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce inducted him into their Wall of Fame in 2013.

Personal life

During the 2017 offseason, McCown, his wife Natalie, and their four children moved from Waxhaw, North Carolina to Waxahachie, Texas. He is a Christian. He grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan. His inspiration for wearing No. 12, the jersey number that he wore the majority of his career, comes from Roger Staubach, who also wore No. 12. He was also a fan of Cowboys players Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, and Troy Aikman, as well as quarterbacks Joe Montana, John Elway, and Randall Cunningham.

McCown is the older brother of former NFL quarterback Luke McCown and younger brother of former Texas A&M quarterback Randy McCown. In 2003, the McCown brothers hosted the first-ever McCown Passing Camp in their hometown of Jacksonville, Texas. He is also the father of Colorado Buffaloes football quarterback Owen McCown.

McCown is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has served in Pro Athletes Outreach and Coaches Time Out, which are both ministries. He has also spent time speaking to church youth and men's groups during the offseason.

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College career

McCown played three seasons for the Mustangs of Southern Methodist University from 1998 to 2000, passing for 4,022 yards and 27 touchdowns, but also had 34 interceptions. He appeared in 25 games for the Mustangs in total. He played in nine games for the Mustangs, starting five years in 1998, totaling 46 of 99 passes for 619 yards and seven touchdowns with eight interceptions. In 1998, McCown split time with sophomore Chris Sanders. Since 1989, McCown was the first freshman to play at quarterback for the team. He started playing for the Mustangs in 1999, throwing 125 of 234 passes for 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns with ten interceptions. When he finished 19 passes in a row against Tulsa in 1999, he set a school record for consecutive completions. McCown played for the Mustangs in 2000, winning 169 of 331 passes for 1,969 yards and 9 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. In 2000, he threw for 420 yards against Texas-El Paso, the third-highest total in SMU history. He appeared in the first six games of the 2000 season before being substituted by David Page for three games. McCown was first to play for the Mustangs in the final three games.

McCown spent his senior year at Sam Houston State University to play for the Bearkats. He was drafted to play a game in which he threw more and had a great chance of winning. With 259 of 429 passes for 3,481 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior in 2001, he surpassed his three-year SMU touchdown average in just one season. The Bearcats ended the season with a 10-3 record and were co-champions of McNeese State in the Southland Football League. Sam Houston State defeated Northern Arizona in the first round of the Division I-AA national championships, where the Bearcats lost to eventual national champion Montana. He set single-season school records in pass completions, attempted, yards, and touchdowns. McCown's 3,481 passing yards ranked eighth on the school's career list, ranked eighth. On 112 attempts, he passed for 351 yards and six touchdowns. With five touchdowns against Western Illinois in 2001, he threw for 404 yards and tied a school single-game record. In 2001, McCown was named the SFL Player of the Year and was named First Team All-SFL champion. The Sports Network also named him as a Third Team Division I-AA All-American. He was one of 16 people shortlisted for the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the best performer of NCAA Division I-AA football following his senior season. In the Walter Payton Award voting, McCown came in seventh place. After Harrington sustained a knee injury in the East–West Shrine Game, he brought Joey Harrington on the 2002 Senior Bowl roster. McCown was in the Senior Bowl and had a "good game" on 7 of 11 passes for 117 yards while still rushing for a 12-yard touchdown. At Sam Houston State, he was the most significant in history. In 2013, McCown was inducted into the Sam Houston Athletic Hall of Honor.

Professional career

McCown had a good showing at the NFL Combine, with a 40-yard dash in the mid-second range, a 10-foot long jump, and a 38+112 inch vertical leap. "He could be the third quarterback selected or the eighth quarterback," one scout said at the combine. By NFLDraftScout.com, McCown was rated the sixth best quarterback in the 2002 NFL Draft. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft with the 81st overall pick and was the fourth quarterback selected. "[McCown] had all the essentials you adored," the Cardinals' head coach said when McCown was first introduced. And he's a natural performer. If you were going to start a pickup basketball game in the building, this would be one of your first choices." From 2002 to 2005, McCown played for the Cardinals.

Since former Cardinals backup Chris Greisen was fired in August, McCown, who was in his rookie season, became the team's second-string quarterback. McCown made his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 1 on December 1, despite losing starter Jake Plummer late in the third quarter. McCown appeared in two games in 2002, passing 7-of-18 passes for 66 yards with two interceptions. He also ran for 20 yards once more.

McCown was the back-up to Jeff Blake for the first 13 games of the season in 2003. McCown completed 18 of 32 passes for 150 yards with two interceptions against the Seattle Seahawks on September 14 after relieving the injured Blake late in the first quarter of an eventual 38-0 loss. The Cardinals are expected to feature both starter Blake and McCown in the game against the San Francisco 49ers on December 7, according to reports. Blake completed 8 of 20 passes for 59 yards and one interceptor in the first half, with one interception. As the Cardinals lost 50-14, McCown played in the second half, completing 11 of 20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. McCown was then promoted to starter and he began the season with three games. "Josh is the right decision for our company," head coach Dave McGinnis said, "It's right time for our company" and "some quality time is what he needs against good teams." McCown threw a game-winning 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nate Poole in the Minnesota Vikings' last game of the season on December 28 as time expired to beat the Vikings by a score of 18-19. If the Vikings had won the game, they would have made the playoffs, but the Green Bay Packers had a field day. McCown and Poole were also invited to the Packers' first playoff game. Although McCown declined the invitation due to the birth of his third child, Poole attended the game and was given a key to the city. McCown started in eight games in 2003 and completed 95 of 166 passes for 1,018 yards and five touchdowns with six interceptions. On 28 attempts, he passed for a career-high 158 yards and a touchdown.

McCown was the team's starter for the 2004 season on February 4, 2004, according to new head coach Dennis Green. McCown played in the Cardinals' first nine games of the season, leading the team to a 4–5 record. He finished 20 of 26 passes against the Atlanta Falcons on September 26, a high completion rate for the first time since the Panthers lost 6–3. On October 10, McCown threw for a career-high three touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers. McCown completed 12 of 24 passes for only 90 yards against the New York Giants on November 14 in his ninth straight start, but the Cardinals won the game 17–14. McCown was then suspended, with King replacing him as the team's starting quarterback. King then began the Cardinals' second game, while McCown was second-string. After the King's two reigns, he was ruled out of favour of John Navarre. Navarre then began one game for the team, with McCown as second string and King being third-string. McCown was ostensibly suspended after Navarre's one start to his in favour of McCown, who then played the final four games of the season. On December 12, McCown's first 300-yard game in his career, he threw for 307 yards against the 49ers. On December 26, he also scored three touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks, his second three-passing-touchdown game of the year. McCown appeared in 14 games, beginning at 13, and he passed for 2,511 yards and 11 touchdowns with ten interceptions. On 36 carries, he passed for 112 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals finished third in the NFC West with a 6–10 record and 6–7 in games that McCown started, with 6–7.

Kurt Warner, the Cardinals' quarterback, was signed in March 2005. McCown also signed a one-year contract extension with the team later this month. Warner was the team's starter and McCown the second stringer for the 2005 season, according to coach Green. Warner appeared in the first three games of the season. Warner sustained an injury in the second quarter and was forced to leave by McCown in his third game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 25, 2005. McCown was then suspended for the Cardinals' next four games. He appeared for the Cardinals in the first NFL regular season game outside of the United States on October 2, 2005, against the San Francisco 49ers in the first game of the season. As the Cardinals defeated the Cardinals by a score of 31–14, he passed 32 of 46 passes for a then-career high 385 yards and two touchdowns. The game in Mexico City saw 103,467 people, setting a record for the largest attendance for a regular-season game in NFL history. Although the record has since been shattered, it is still ranked second place all time. McCown's next game against the Carolina Panthers on October 9, in which he completed 29 of 36 passes for a new career-high of 398 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, while the Cardinals lost by a score of 24-20. His two 300-yard games were two of the highest passing totals of any player during the 2005 season. McCown was also the first Cardinals quarterback to throw for 350 yards in back-to-back games. Warner recovered from injury, but McCown was still in backup for the next two games. McCown failed, but Warner was promoted to starter once more. Warner began playing the next seven games. In Warner's seventh game back against the Houston Texans on December 18, he sustained an injury early in the first quarter and stayed in the game for two more sequences before being deemed out of the game by McCown, but McCown did not return to the game with flu-like symptoms at halftime, and was replaced by John Navarre. McCown's season-opening game in August was the final two games of the season. He appeared in 9 games, beginning with 6 in 2005 and finishing 163 of 279 passes for 1,836 and 9 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He also passed for 139 yards on 29 passes. The Cardinals made a 5–11 record in the NFC West last year and were 3-3 in games that McCown started. In 2005, the Cardinals led the league in passing offense with 4,437 yards, with Warner throwing for 2,713 yards, McCown throwing for 1,836 yards, and Navarre throwing for 174 yards.

After the 2005 season, McCown became a free agent. He played in 33 games, beginning in 1992, and finished 498 of 862 passes for 5,431 yards and 25 touchdowns with 29 interceptions. He also ran 94 times for 429 yards and three touchdowns. When McCown first started games, the Cardinals were 10-12.

McCown decided on a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions in March 2006, wishing he would get to start. Nevertheless, Jon Kitna was dubbed the starter of training camp in July, and McCown was dubbed the backup. In 2006, McCown was Kitna's backup for all 16 games. During the season, McCown began running wide-receiver routes in practice and became an expert at it. On November 19, he lined up at wide receiver for one game against the Arizona Cardinals. During the game against the New England Patriots on December 3, he saw extended time at wide receiver. McCown was inserted as the third wide receiver and was hit twice by the team, totaling 15 yards. He had a 31-yard reception but it was called off due to McCown's call for offensive pass interference. "It was a surreal moment and it changed my whole perception and admiration for receivers," McCown later described.

McCown asked to be traded following the 2006 season. "Josh sees himself as a starting quarterback, and I comply with him," Michael McCartney, his handler. In the 2007 NFL Draft, the Lions selected quarterback Drew Stanton. McCown and wide receiver Mike Williams were traded to the Oakland Browns in exchange for a 2007 fourth-round draft pick, which the Lions used to select cornerback A. J. Davis.

McCown was part of a quarterback competition with Daunte Culpepper and Andrew Walter to see who would be the Raiders' starter for the 2007 season. On August 27, head coach Lane Kiffin narrowed the choices down to McCown or Culpepper. "It's simply a matter of always trying to gain a competitive advantage," Kiffin told the team on September 5, a day after Kiffin had warned the quarterbacks that McCown would be the starter, though Kiffin did not officially announce it until the week 1 game against the Detroit Lions on September 5.

In a 36–21 loss, McCown threw for 313 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also fumbled late in the game to put the Raiders' bid at a comeback into question. McCown strained his right foot in the first half of the Lions game and injured his right index finger on the final play of the game. And though McCown was still recovering from his finger injury, Kiffin thought McCown's foot had healed enough for him to play by game time in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. McCown started the game by throwing for 73 yards, 1one touchdown, and three interceptions. McCown was able to play against the Miami Dolphins for the second time after suffering a left foot injury. In place of McCown, Culpepper initiated the team's next four games. McCown was used as Culpepper's backup in the fourth game of that stretch against the Tennessee Titans although he was not 100% recovered. McCown was named starter just a few days after the Titans game, with Kiffin adding, "I think Daunte played really well for us," says Kiffin, but "we're going to go back to Josh." McCown's games began shortly. Despite McCown's poor play, Culpepper was named the starter for the following game against the Minnesota Vikings. At the time of his benching, McCown had bruised his thigh, but it may not have been a determining factor in the decision to go to Culpepper, with Kiffin saying, "I felt it was time to go with Daunte and see if he's give us a little spark" and "It's nothing against Josh" says Kiffin. Due to his injury, McCown was unable to participate in the Vikings' game. Culpepper continued to play against the Kansas City Chiefs later this week, but he suffered a sore quadriceps during the game that erupted later this week. Culpepper did not participate in another game this season due to his injury. McCown appeared in the Denver Broncos' next game. The Raiders defeated the Broncos by 34-20 after McCown threw for 141 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a then-high 125.2 passer rating. McCown's third game was the most effective, but number one overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell made the majority of McCown's third appearance. Russell also started the season's final game.

McCown was a quarterback for 143 yards and ten touchdowns in 2009, and he finished 111 of 190 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns with 11 interceptions, while also running for 143 yards. The Raiders had a 4-12 record and were 2-7 in games that McCown started. He was the final winner of the NFL Quarterback Challenge in 2007. On February 29, 2008, he became a free agent.

McCown signed a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins on February 29, 2008. He was inspired by the possibility of fighting for the starting job that made him decide to work with Miami. McCown needed six stitches in his throwing hand's index finger prior to going to training camp in July. Josh's finger was mistakenly grabbed with a chainsaw by him while holding firewood, and his brother Luke mistakenly grazed Josh's finger with a chainsaw.

The Dolphins unveiled their first depth chart of the season on August 4, 2008, with McCown as the starter over John Beck and Chad Henne. However, head coach Tony Sparano said that Beck and Henne were not ruled out as potential starters for the team's first preseason game on August 9. Chad Pennington, a free agent, signed with the Dolphins on August 8 and was supposed to be the team's starter. On August 9, McCown appeared in the team's first preseason game but not until the fourth quarter of the season. He then failed to participate in the team's final three preseason games. Pennington was officially named as the team's starter on August 25, the team's last preseason game on August 28. McCown was released by the Carolina Panthers on August 29 ahead of the regular season.

In the 2009 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers acquired McCown from the Dolphins for a seventh-round pick (#237 overall) on August 29, 2008. Matt Moore, the Panthers' quarterback, sustained a leg injury the day before. However, general manager Marty Hurney said the trade for McCown was not a result of Moore's illness, with Hurney stating, "Josh is a guy we've loved for the past several years when he was in an unrestricted free service." In 2008, McCown was the backup to Jake Delhomme for all 16 games. He was also the backup for the team's NFC Divisional Round loss to the Arizona Cardinals. In 2008, he appeared in two games. In the fourth quarter of a 24–9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, he relieved Delhomme late, but the only statistics he got were three end-of-game kneeldowns. In the fourth quarter of a 34–0 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, he let Delhomme loose, but he only had one end-of-game kneeldown.

In 2009, McCown defeated Moore for the primary backup quarterback job. McCown started the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 13 in Week 1 against Delhomme, who had committed five turnovers in the third quarter. McCown completed one of six passes for two yards before spraining both his left knee and left foot on the same play early in the fourth quarter. McCown was then dismissed by Moore after the Panthers lost by 38–10. McCown was put on injured reserve on September 14, bringing an end to his career. In March 2010, he became a free agent.

McCown was signed by the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League (UFL) on August 3, 2010. He received a trade from the Chicago Bears shortly after signing with the Colonials, but he decided not to join the Colonials due to his commitment and desire to gain more playing time. McCown later stated that honoring his work was "not just didn't sit well with me" and that it would be a bad example to his children, "Give your word to someone until something better comes along and then break it." "I think I'm more advanced now than I would have been if I had just sat on an (NFL) roster last year and been a backup," McCown said, "I think you're only getting better when you're playing reps." In the season-opening 27–10 victory over the Sacramento Mountain Lions, McCown threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns. For Week 1, he was named Offensive Player of the Week. He completed 22 of 25 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2 of Week 2. He threw for 223 yards, with one touchdown and one interception in Week 4. During the 2010 season, McCown accounted for 1,463 yards and ten touchdowns in eight games. In 2010, his 79.3 passer rating was the highest in the UFL. The Colonials had a 3–5 record last year. When he was with the Colonials, he was a team captain.

McCown announced on August 17, 2011, that he had signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers for the minimum of $810,000. He was released by the 49ers on September 3, 2011.

After an injury to starting quarterback Jay Cutler, McCown signed with the Chicago Bears as a back-up to Caleb Hanie on November 23, 2011. In the fourth quarter of a 38–14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field, McCown came in for Hanie with five minutes remaining. McCown threw twice, one for a 12-yard gain, and the other was intercepted. The Bears announced on December 21, 2011 that McCown would begin against the defending champion Green Bay Packers due to Hanie's injuries since taking over for the injured Cutler. In the 35–21 loss, McCown completed 19-of-28 passes for 242 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. McCown passed for 160 yards with a touchdown and a pick with a 75.4 passer rating in Week 17, but was suspended seven times. The Bears won 17–13.

McCown was signed to a one-year contract with the Bears on March 14, 2012, and he was reassigned a new number from 15 to 12. McCown was waived by the team on August 31, but it was not until August 31. Since starting quarterback Jay Cutler sustained a concussion, McCown was recalled by the Bears on November 12, she was suspended by the Bears. On November 19, McCown was Jason Campbell's back-up for the game against the San Francisco 49ers. Cutler recovered from injury, but McCown was inactive for the final six games of the season.

Despite being an unrestricted free agent in 2013, McCown agreed to a one-year contract with the Bears on March 29, 2013. McCown started the game against the Washington Redskins in Week 7 after Cutler sustained a groin injury. For 204 yards and a touchdown to Martellus Bennett, McCown completed 14 of 20 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown, but the Bears lost 45–41. On Monday Night Football, the Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers in a match on November 4, starting in place of the injured Cutler. On a 27-20 victory, McCown threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Cutler started the Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions and sustained an ankle injury in the second quarter but stayed in the game. However, McCown was brought on by McCown for the final drive, with Cutler's ankle possibly restricting his mobility for the two-minute drill. McCown led the Bears to a 74-yard touchdown drive, passing 6 of 9 passes for 62 yards and an 11-yard touchdown to Brandon Marshall. However, the Bears lost 21–19. McCown played in his second game against the Ravens, winning by 19 of 31 passes for 216 yards with one touchdown and a 92.9 passer rating in a 23-20 victory, compiling in four games 754 yards, five interceptions, and a 100.0 passer rating. McCown started against the St. Louis Rams in Week 12 and posted a franchise-record 36 passes for 352 yards, two touchdowns, and an intercept. McCown threw for a season-high 355 yards against the Minnesota Vikings, totaling 23 of 36 passes for two touchdowns and an 114.9 rating. McCown threw for a career-high four touchdowns and ran for another in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys, defeating the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 27 of 36 passes for 348 yards and a career-high 141.9 passer rating, as a result of a 45-28 victory. In a game since Jack Concannon in 1970, McCown became the first Bears quarterback to score five touchdowns in a game. This week, McCown was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He was also the first Bears quarterback to throw for 300 yards in three straight games. Cutler returned from injury to start the season's final three games.

McCown finished the 2013 season with 13 touchdowns, one intercept, and a 109.0 passer rating, the third-highest behind Peyton Manning and Nick Foles and the best in Bears history. He had the lowest interception rate in the NFL at 0.4 percent. McCown and Cutler's combination set Bears records of 32 touchdown passes, 4,450 yards, a 64.4 completion percentage, and a 96.9 passer rating. The Bears ended the season with an 8–8 record and were 3–2 in games that McCown started. McCown was appointed to the USA Today All-Joe Team on January 24, 2014. In May 2014, the Bears presented him with the Brian Piccolo Award.

McCown signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 12, 2014. Based on playoff appearances and playing time, another $5 million was also available. Lovie Smith, the Buccaneers' head coach and his former head coach in Chicago, was immediately named starter. He sustained a thumb injury in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons and was recalled by Mike Glennon in Week 3. Glennon took over as the starter in Week 4, leading to a 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers but losing the next four games. McCown recovered from injury and started the season's final eight games. During the 2014 season, he threw for 2,206 yards, eleven touchdowns, and fourteen interceptions, while still rushing for 127 yards and three touchdowns in eleven games, all started. The Buccaneers finished the year with a 2-14 record and a 1-10 record in games since McCown began. While with the Buccaneers, McCown served as a team captain. He was released after just one season with the Buccaneers on February 11, 2015, after underperforming.

McCown signed a three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns worth $14 million on February 27, 2015. McCown was No. 1 in May 2015, according to head coach Mike Pettine. quarterback Tom Brady's depth chart is No. 1 on the depth chart.

McCown started the Week 1 game against the New York Jets. He made a 13-yard run and attempted to leap into the endzone but was forced to leave the field due to a concussion. McCown returned from his injury in Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders on September 27, where he threw for 341 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception as the Browns lost by a score of 27-20. Luke started for the New Orleans Saints on the same day, marking the first time both McCown brothers had met on the same day since December 9, 2007. Josh continued to throw for 356 yards and two touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers, but the Browns lost by a score of 30-27. In a 33–30 overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, he set a new career high and a Browns record for passing yards in a regular season game with 457, while McCown was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. This was the Browns' first victory in Baltimore since the 2007 season. McCown was the first quarterback in NFL history to throw more than 450 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and no interceptions in a single game. He was also the first Browns quarterback to pass for more than 300 yards in three straight games, and his 1,154 yards set a record for the first time in franchise history, beating Brian Sipe's previous record of 1,038 yards. The Pro Football Hall of Fame featured McCown and teammate Gary Barnidge's jerseys during the Week 5 Ravens game. McCown also started the season's next three games. McCown suffered his ribs during a tough play against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, but stayed in the game for three more plays before suffering a shoulder injury and ending the game with 5:17 points in the fourth quarter. McCown was listed as questionable with shoulder and rib injuries before the game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 30, but he was scheduled to return against the Arizona Cardinals on November 1 on November 30. As the Browns lost by a score of 34-20, he started the game, passing for 211 yards and a season-high 3 touchdowns, all in the first half. McCown was also hard on the third quarter, exacerbating his rib injury from the previous week. However, he stayed in the game until he called off in the fourth quarter, which was later. Johnny Manziel started the next two games due to McCown's injury. Manziel was named starter for the remainder of the season after a video of Manziel partying surfaced online on November 17, but McCown was promoted to starter again. McCown fractured his collarbone late in the third quarter and stayed in for two plays before leaving the game on Dec. 1. McCown would miss the remainder of the season due to the injury on December 2. The same day, he was placed on injured reserve. During the 2015 season, he threw for 2,109 yards, twelve touchdowns, and four interceptions, as well as running for 98 yards and one touchdown. Despite him achieving a passer rating of 93.3 on the season, the Browns finished the year with a 3–13 record and were 1–7 in games where McCown started. In 2015, he was the Browns nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. McCown was named winner of the Pro Football Writers of America's Dino Lucarelli Good Guy Award by the local chapter.

Robert Griffin III joined the Browns in March 2016 and was widely predicted to be the team's starter. Griffin was named the starter for the 2016 season by head coach Hue Jackson on August 8, 2016.

The Browns announced that Griffin would miss at least eight games due to an injury he sustained during the season. McCown started the Week 2 game against the Baltimore Ravens by throwing for 260 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in the 25–20 loss. McCown also fractured his left collarbone in the Ravens game but continued through the entire game. As the Browns defeated the New York Jets 31-28, he returned from his surgery on October 30, throwing for 341 yards and 2 touchdowns with two interceptions. In the first half, he threw for 228 yards, the most by a Browns quarterback in the first half since 1986. On November 1, McCown and Cody Kessler, who had started in place of McCown and was recovering from injury, were listed as co-starters on the Browns' unofficial depth chart. Kessler was named the Browns' starter for the upcoming game on November 4, with Jackson saying "I want to know" if he is the Browns quarterback of the future. McCown threw for 59 yards against the Baltimore Ravens on November 10, with no touchdowns and two interceptions after playing early in the third quarter due to Kessler's absence. In relief of an injured Kessler, he threw for 188 yards and one touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 20. He started against the New York Giants on November 27 and threw for 322 yards and 1 touchdown. Griffin recovered from his injury to start the final four games of the season, while McCown was inactive as the third-string quarterback for the final four games. McCown appeared in five games, starting with three, and finished with 92 of 165 passes for 1,100 yards with 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. The Browns cut McCown on February 7, 2017.

McCown agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with the New York Jets on March 20, 2017. McCown was named the starting quarterback of the 2017 season on August 28, 2017, after struggling with Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. McCown won three straight starts from Week 3 to Week 5, the first time in McCown's NFL career that he has won three straight starts. When the Jets lost by a margin of 31–28, he threw for 209 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception during Week 7. He also scored a touchdown, becoming the first Jets quarterback since Al Dorow in 1960 to score three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in a game. He threw nine touchdowns from Week 5 to Week 8, becoming the first Jets quarterback since Ray Lucas in 1999 to throw multiple touchdowns in four straight games. With his 14th touchdown pass in a season, he became the oldest quarterback in NFL history to record a career-high in touchdown passes in a season. McCown threw for 331 yards and a touchdown while still running for 2 touchdowns as the Jets defeated the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 38–31. Doug Flutie and Jim Thorpe became the only players in NFL history to rush for at least two touchdowns in a game at the age of 38 or older. For Week 13, McCown was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. McCown threw for 46 yards against the Denver Broncos in Week 14, as the Jets lost by a score of 23-0. McCown had been injured early in the game, and it was discovered shortly afterward. McCown will have surgery on his left hand, keeping him out for the remainder of the 2017 season, according to head coach Todd Bowles. On December 12, he was put on injured reserve. McCown completed 267 of 397 passes for 2,926 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while still rushing for 124 yards and five touchdowns in 2017. His completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns were all single-season highs. He also had a career-best 67.3 completion rate. In 2017, he had a 5–8 record as the starter. He was named both the Curtis Martin Jets Team MVP and the Kyle Clifton "Good Guy" Award winner.

McCown signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jets on March 13, 2018. McCown competed with Teddy Bridgewater and rookie Sam Darnold for the starting job during training camp and the subsequent preseason. Darnold was eventually named the team's starter after Bridgewater was traded to the New Orleans Saints, solidifying McCown's position as the primary backup going into the 2018 season. McCown began against the Buffalo Bills in Week 10, where he had 135 passing yards and two interceptions as the Jets defeated the Bills, with Darnold missing due to a right foot injury. The Jets defeated the New England Patriots in Week 12, where McCown led to 276 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception as the Jets lost 13-27. McCown finished with 128 passing yards and an interception as the Jets lost 22-26. Darnold recovered from his injury and started the Jets' season off with the remainder of the 2018 season.

McCown had previously announced his resignation and was then hired as an NFL analyst by ESPN. Following injuries to the team's backup quarterbacks, Nate Sudfeld and Cody Kessler, McCown signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on August 17, 2019. McCown was forced to play briefly against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, bringing an injured Carson Wentz to the game for a few plays. McCown almost started the game as a wide receiver against the New York Giants due to injuries in the Eagles' receiver corps in Week 14. As the Eagles defeated the division championship and into the playoffs after a 5–7 record marred by multiple injuries, McCown mentored Wentz, as well as assisted several wide receivers make the switch from the practice squad to the active roster.

After a helmet-to-helmet collision with the Seattle Seahawks Jadevenet Clowney, McCown came in for injured Carson Wentz in the Wild Card Round of the 2019-20 NFL playoffs. McCown made his postseason debut by defeating Vince Evans, who was in his first postseason appearance at 35 years and 220 days old. McCown earned his first-ever playoff pass at the age of 40, becoming the first player to do so since Sonny Jurgensen in 1974. McCown went 18-of-24 for 174 yards and no touchdowns nor turnover, while rushing six times for 23 yards and being suspended six times, leading to an injury-plagued Eagles offense to three field goals in a 17-19 loss to the visiting Seahawks. He later admitted that he tore his hamstring off the bone in the second quarter in an interview, but he continued to play.

Following McCown's loss in the playoffs, the Eagles gave him a job on the team's coaching staff for the 2020 season, but he turned down because he was still interested in continuing his play. The Eagles signed McCown to serve as an emergency quarterback on September 6, 2020, making him the oldest practice squad player in NFL history.

McCown was signed by the Houston Texans off the Eagles' practice squad on November 7, 2020. On January 22, 2021, he applied for the Texas' head coach job, but instead, the team recruited David Culley. He was born on March 1, 2021. After Culley was fired, he interviewed for the Texas' head coach position on January 20, 2022, but Lovie Smith was passed over this time.

Coaching career

McCown served as a volunteer quarterbacks coach for the Marvin Ridge High School Mavericks of Waxhaw, North Carolina. "He just walked into my office one day and asked if he could help out." McCown began assisting the Mavericks during the offseason in 2010, prior to signing with the Colonials. McCown spent another offseason with the Mavericks after the 2010 UFL season came to an end. He left the school after being signed by the 49ers in August 2011, but he was released by the 49ers in September 2011. The Bears signed Marvin Ridge a few days after the 2011 playoff game. McCown was released by the Bears in August 2012 and immediately upon arriving home at the airport, McCown went straight to a Marvin Ridge game and joined the team while the game was still underway. McCown was also signed by the Bears on days days after Marvin Ridge lost its playoff game in November 2012. While at Marvin Ridge, McCown spent time as the scout team quarterback, with one player saying, "I don't think anyone in the country had a better scout team quarterback." McCown also cooked pancakes for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' breakfasts on Friday and spent time at Marvin Ridge teaching gym class.

McCown is an assistant coach at Rusk High School in Texas, where his sons play. With his 2019 return to the NFL, the Eagles allowed him to fly to Charlotte on Mondays for high school practice and game planning and then back to Charlotte on Fridays for game days.

Following David Culley's dismissal, McCown was interviewed for the Texans' head coaching position following the 2021 season. He was later confirmed as a finalist for the position, but Lovie Smith took over the position later.

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