Josh McCown might be over the hill in age, but last season he showed that he can be a very good NFL quarterback and now as he hits free agency, the backup for the Bears is getting some attention and teams like the NY Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints could be the best options for the QB.
McCown comes into the offseason after getting more playing time than expected in 2013 and after some reports came out that he would retire, McCown said that he is planning on returning this season and according to ESPN.com, New York could be a destination. The Jets want to bring in a veteran to push Geno Smith and if McCown beat him out, they could live with that as well and it comes after he went 3-2 last season for Jay Cutler and looked impressive in the new offense from Marc Trestman.
McCown passed for 13 touchdown passes and just one pick and he was playing so well for a stretch that some thought the Bears might be better off keeping him as starting quarterback over Cutler. The team did not do that, but it's saying something for the QB if people entertained that notion and with him coming back this season, the Bears could be in the mix, but if they let him go, expect the Jets and Buccaneers to jump on him.
The Jets had an up and down year with Smith and while they feel he is "the guy", the team realizes that he has a ways to go and even if Mark Sanchez returns, they likely will bring in a third name to compete as well and that could be McCown. The Daily News reports that the Jets are interested and while Jay Cutler said that he would like his good friend to return, he understands that the Bears have business decisions to make and some have speculated that developing a quarterback could be an option for Trestman as well.
McCown should be getting attention after the March 11 free agent date starts up and he could be a great fall back if Smith regresses and he could be a stable option to lead the team into the season if an injury happens as well. The team had David Garrard last season and while that was good for a while, the team knew he never could take over and McCown would be a step up in that regard. The Jets likely will release Mark Sanchez and if they do that, expect a hard run at McCown and another name could be Matt Schaub, as he is expected to be released as well.
McCown will be 35 this summer and he comes off a season that saw him go 3-2 while passing for 1,829 yards and 13 touchdowns and his rating was at 109. He played in eight games this season, his most since back when he was with the Raiders and this is the best he has performed, setting his career marks in passing touchdowns, completion percentage and a low in interceptions, throwing just one while competing over 66 percent of his throws. Those stats are going to get him a contract, it will just depend on what team gets his services. The Bucs want a backup for Mike Glennon and Lovie Smith has a relationship with McCown and that could also be a fit.
