Josh McCown

Houston Texans
Quarterback #13
Houston Texans
Quarterback #13

Josh McCown News

Released by Houston

The Texans released McCown on Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: McCown didn't ultimately suit up for a single game with the Texans in 2020, after having linked with the team mid-season. The veteran signal-caller, who will turn 42 this offseason, may be motivated to turn his attention toward coaching instead of playing. Houston now only has AJ McCarron on the depth chart behind Deshaun Watson, who recently reiterated his request to be traded.

Mar 1, 2021 1:28 PM EST


Healthy scratch Week 16

McCown (coach's decision) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Analysis: The 41-year-old signal-caller hasn't yet suited up for Houston since signing with the team Nov. 4, as AJ McCarron continues to back up Deshaun Watson heading into Week 16. McCown's most recent game appearance came mid-October of last year with the Eagles, but he hasn't started a game since his last season as a Jet in 2018.

Dec 27, 2020 8:37 AM EST



Sitting out Sunday

McCown (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Colts, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: McCown dealt with an illness during the practice week, but he's healthy now. Still, he'll serve as a scratch as usual. AJ McCarron will continue to back up Deshaun Watson.

Dec 6, 2020 9:01 AM EST


Cleared from ailment

McCown (illness) was absent from Wednesday's injury report.

Analysis: McCown missed last week's Thanksgiving win over the Lions due to an illness, but this news is evidence that he's been cleared to return. Now healthy, McCown will still likely be inactive going forward anyways, as AJ McCarron has served as the top backup to DeShaun Watson.

Dec 2, 2020 3:33 PM EST


Won't play Thursday

McCown (illness) is ruled out for Thursday's game in Detroit.

Analysis: McCown's illness will keep him from travelling with the team to Detroit. AJ McCarron has regularly served as the top backup to Deshaun Watson this season, so it seems probable that McCown would have been inactive even if he were healthy.

Nov 25, 2020 9:41 AM EST



Sitting out practice

McCown didn't participate at Tuesday's walkthrough due to an illness.

Analysis: The veteran quarterback has now been estimated as a non-participant for the first two practices of the week. McCown may need to practice in some form Wednesday to have a chance of suiting up for the Thanksgiving Day matchup at Detroit.

Nov 24, 2020 5:35 PM EST


Absent from injury report

McCown wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: McCown didn't travel with the team for last week's game against Cleveland, but his absence from the injury report confirms that it wasn't related to an injury. This may be standard for the veteran quarterback this season, as AJ McCarron is expected to serve as the main backup to Deshaun Watson.

Nov 18, 2020 2:13 PM EST


Not traveling with team

McCown (personal) will not travel with the team to Cleveland ahead of Sunday's matchup.

Analysis: The third-string QB was not expected to travel with the team after joining the roster only a couple of days before. AJ McCarron will continue to act as the backup behind starter Deshaun Watson.

Nov 14, 2020 2:41 PM EST


Moves to active roster

McCown was listed from the commissioner's exempt list and he now joins the Texans' active roster, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: McCown was claimed by Houston from the Eagles' practice Nov. 4, but he had to clear NFL COVID-19 protocols before being able to join his new team in person. The 41-year-old appeared in three games for Philadelphia last season while throwing just five passes, and he went 5-11 over two seasons as a starter for the Jets between 2017 and 2018 while throwing to a 19:13 TD:INT. McCown will slot in as the Texans' third-string quarterback behind franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson and $4 million backup AJ McCarron.

Nov 12, 2020 7:12 PM EST


Signing becomes official

McCown's contract with the Texans became official Saturday, and he's currently on the commissioner's exempt list.

Analysis: McCown has made it through the COVID-19 protocols, but he won't be available for Sunday's game versus the Jaguars. The veteran quarterback is expected to be lifted from the commissioner's exempt list during the upcoming week. He's not expected to take AJ McCarron's backup role, but he's dependable depth for the Eagles.

Nov 7, 2020 5:23 PM EST


Signing with Texans

The Texans will sign McCown to their active roster off the Eagles' practice squad, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: McCown will provide the Texans with an experienced veteran backup option behind Deshaun Watson and joins a QB room that also includes AJ McCarron.

Nov 4, 2020 2:44 PM EST


Sticks on practice squad

The Eagles signed McCown (hamstring) to the practice squad Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: McCown appeared in Philadelphia's wild-card playoff loss to the Seahawks last season while serving as the top backup to Carson Wentz. He'll stick around the team as an emergency option on the practice squad for 2020, while Nate Sudfeld and Jalen Hurts both begin the regular season with roster spots.

Sep 6, 2020 3:09 PM EST


Uncertain about NFL future

McCown (hamstring) told GQ's Alex Shultz that he hasn't made a decision on continuing his football career.

Analysis: A report from January suggested McCown had told the Eagles he wasn't ready to retire, but the recent interview with GQ makes it sound like he's reconsidering. The veteran quarterback will turn 41 in July, and he's still recovering from January surgery to address the hamstring tear he suffered in a wild-card playoff loss to Seattle. Meanwhile, the Eagles have re-signed fellow quarterback Nate Sudfeld on a one-year contract.

Mar 18, 2020 8:21 AM EST


Won't necessarily retire

McCown (hamstring) told the Eagles he isn't ready to retire, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: This doesn't necessarily mean McCown will play another season, but he'll at least take some time before he makes a decision, perhaps waiting to evaluate his recovery from Jan. 14 surgery to repair a torn hamstring. The 40-year-old replaced an injured Carson Wentz (concussion) during a 17-9 loss to Seattle in the opening round of the playoffs, completing 18 of 24 passes for 174 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions (while injuring his hamstring late in the fourth quarter). Be it in Philadelphia or elsewhere, McCown shouldn't have much trouble finding a backup QB job if he wants one. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and will celebrate his 41st birthday in July.

Jan 23, 2020 9:08 AM EST


Heading for surgery

McCown will undergo surgery Tuesday to address a torn hamstring, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The 40-year-old suffered and played through the torn hamstring during Sunday's wild-card loss to the Seahawks, which makes his solid performance in place of Carson Wentz all the more impressive. McCown ended a two-month retirement to join the Eagles in August, and there's a decent chance he'll retire again given the eventful and painful finish to the season.

Jan 10, 2020 9:55 AM EST


Solid in emergency duty

McCown entered the Eagles' 17-9 wild-card loss to the Seahawks on Sunday with 1:22 remaining in the first quarter after Carson Wentz (concussion) exited the contest and completed 18 of 24 passes for 174 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also rushed five times for 23 yards and recovered both of his fumbles.

Analysis: The veteran did a solid job overall considering the circumstances, as he was called into action for the first time since Week 2 and was working with an injury-hampered wideout corps. McCown displayed the most chemistry with Dallas Goedert, but he was only able to complete four passes to wideouts overall. McCown was productive on the Eagles' last-gasp drive as well, helping Philadelphia travel 58 yards with completions to Goedert and Miles Sanders. However, he ultimately took a sack on 4th-and-7 that sealed the win for Seattle. Having been coaxed out of retirement to play in 2019, it's unlikely we see McCown in an NFL uniform next season.

Jan 5, 2020 5:09 PM EST


May not play Thursday

McCown may not take many snaps during Thursday's preseason finale against the Jets if he plays at all, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: McCown has made a strong case for the Eagles' backup gig with Nate Sudfeld (wrist) managing an injury, and appears to be in the lead of Cody Kessler. The 40-year-old quarterback impressed during last Thursday's preseason contest against the Ravens, and it's possible that Philadelphia's coaching staff have already seen enough of McCown to be convinced he's back to usual form.

Aug 27, 2019 8:42 AM EST


Puts in strong bid for backup role

McCown completed 17 of 24 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns while adding four yards on three rushing attempts in Thursday's 26-15 preseason loss to the Ravens.

Analysis: Cody Kessler actually started this one but failed to get much going. McCown came in late in the first quarter and really got rolling in the third, when he found J.J. Arcega-Whiteside for a 20-yard touchdown and Alex Ellis for a nine-yard score. The 40-year-old quarterback just came out of retirement, and he already has a massive leg up in the race for the backup job behind injury-prone starter Carson Wentz.

Aug 22, 2019 9:11 PM EST


Joins Eagles

McCown signed a one-year deal with the Eagles on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: It was a short-lived retirement for the 40-year-old signal caller as McCown will join his 11th team in 18 professional seasons on a one-year deal with reportedly two million in guaranteed money. The Eagles, who are expected to be without backups Nate Sudfeld (wrist) and Cody Kessler (concussion) for some time, prioritized acquiring the recently retired veteran over other options currently available. McCown is expected to resume his career announcing games at ESPN after the 2019-20 season.

Aug 17, 2019 7:23 AM EST


Announces retirement

McCown announced his retirement from football Monday in an article for The Players' Tribune.

Analysis: A 2002 third-round pick, McCown spent time with 10 different teams in 17 NFL seasons, going 23-53-0 as a starter. He had his best statistical campaign at age 38, completing 67.3 percent of his passes for 2,926 yards ad 18 touchdowns on a 2017 Jets squad that entered its season as a clear favorite to land the No. 1 overall pick. McCown's solid performance dropped the Jets lower in the draft order for 2018, but they still managed to obtain Sam Darnold, who now is backed up by Trevor Siemian. McCown will turn 40 in July and shouldn't have any trouble finding a job as a coach or a broadcast analyst. His retirement announcement specifies that he plans to do more work as an analyst at some point in the future.

Jun 17, 2019 11:16 AM EST


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