Josh McCown
Encyclopedia
Joshua Treadwell McCown (born July 4, 1979) is an American football
quarterback
for the Chicago Bears
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals
in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Sam Houston State.
McCown has played for the Detroit Lions
, Oakland Raiders
, Miami Dolphins
, Hartford Colonials and Chicago Bears
. He is the older brother of Jacksonville Jaguars
quarterback
Luke McCown
and younger brother of former Texas A&M
quarterback Randy McCown
.
in Jacksonville, Texas. As a senior, he was the East Texas Player of the Year, District 17-4A offensive player of the Year, and an all-state honorable mention. He completed 153 out of 231 passes (66.23 completion percentage) for 30 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He also played basketball, and won an All-District second team honors as a senior.
, passing for 4,022 yards and 24 touchdowns, but also threw 34 interceptions. McCown left the SMU program to prove that he could lead an aerial attack and did so, surpassing his three-year SMU TD total in just one season at Sam Houston State, passing for 3,481 yards and 32 touchdowns (and only 12 interceptions) as a senior. His passing yardage total was the best in Sam Houston history and ranks him eighth all-time in career passing yards. Following his senior season, he was one of 16 players considered for the Walter Payton Award
, given to the top performer in NCAA Division 1-AA football.
, future Cardinals coach Dennis Green
said of McCown, "I think he's going to be a great one, when I buy into a quarterback, I really do." McCown played as a quarterback for the Cardinals from 2002 until 2005. In his first season at Arizona, he played in two games, debuting against the Kansas City Chiefs
when he entered to the game for starter Jake Plummer
. In 2003 played in eight games with three starts Completed 95 of 166 passes with 57.2 for 1,018 yards with five TDs and six INTs and also rushed for a career-high 158 yards and a TD on 28 carries. His best season for the Cardinals was in 2004 when he played in 14 games and passed for 2,511 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 112 yards and two TDs on 36 attempts. In his career he has rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit for a victory on four occasions, all of them in 2004. He connected on a career-high 76.9 percent of his passes, 20 of 26 at Atlanta. He started for the Cardinals at the first regular season game outside United States
, played at Estadio Azteca
on October 2, 2005 against the San Francisco 49ers
, but McCown relinquished the starting role to Kurt Warner
in 2005.
. He signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions
on March 16, 2006. He was the backup quarterback to Jon Kitna
, and was occasionally used in as the Y (slot receiver), passing Corey Bradford
and Mike Williams on the depth chart as the third WR. McCown caught 2 passes for 15 yards when playing wide receiver in 2006 making his career total 3 catches for 10 yards against the New England Patriots. After the Lions drafted Michigan State
quarterback Drew Stanton
in the 2007 NFL Draft
, McCown was traded along with wide receiver Mike Williams to the Oakland Raiders
in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick, A. J. Davis
.
was signed by the Raiders prior to the start of the 2007 season, and was used as a back-up quarterback to Josh McCown when McCown was active. But when McCown was unable to play, Culpepper was the starting quarterback for the Raiders, playing in 7 games, winning 3 games, and losing 4 games. Daunte Culpepper was questionable for the Raiders game against the Denver Broncos on December 2 after missing practice on November 30 with sore quadriceps. However, Josh McCown's status was listed as probable and ended up being the starting quarterback against the Broncos. Along with running back Justin Fargas
, Josh McCown led the Raiders to a 34-20 victory over the Denver Broncos, improving the Raiders record to 4 and 8. The next week, Josh McCown left the game against the Green Bay Packers
with an injury and the Raiders lost, eliminating them from playoff contention.
. Prior to training camp in July, McCown needed six stitches in his throwing hand's index finger. He suffered the injury holding firewood as his brother Luke
chopped it.
Coming into the preseason, McCown was listed in the Dolphin's depth chart as their starting quarterback over John Beck. Following the signing of free agent quarterback Chad Pennington
, McCown failed to appear in the team's final three preseason games. He was traded to the Carolina Panthers
on August 29.
acquired McCown from the Dolphins for a 7th round pick (#237 overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft
. The move came a day after Panthers quarterback
Matt Moore
suffered a leg injury. He made his debut as a Panthers player when he entered the field against the Atlanta Falcons
only for the end-game kneeldowns that drained the last 73 seconds from the clock . He had the same role against Kansas City Chiefs
.
. He was released by the 49ers on September 3, 2011.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Sam Houston State.
McCown has played for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Hartford Colonials and Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He is the older brother of Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Luke McCown
Luke McCown
Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League...
and younger brother of former Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
quarterback Randy McCown
Randy McCown
Peter Randolph McCown is a former quarterback for Texas A&M and the Houston Marshals of the Spring Football League. He is the son of Robin and Pat McCown of Jacksonville, Texas...
.
Early years
McCown attended Jacksonville High SchoolJacksonville Independent School District
Jacksonville Independent School District is a public school district based in Jacksonville, Texas .In addition to Jacksonville, the district serves the town of Cuney and rural areas in northwestern Cherokee County....
in Jacksonville, Texas. As a senior, he was the East Texas Player of the Year, District 17-4A offensive player of the Year, and an all-state honorable mention. He completed 153 out of 231 passes (66.23 completion percentage) for 30 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He also played basketball, and won an All-District second team honors as a senior.
College career
McCown played three collegiate seasons at Southern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, passing for 4,022 yards and 24 touchdowns, but also threw 34 interceptions. McCown left the SMU program to prove that he could lead an aerial attack and did so, surpassing his three-year SMU TD total in just one season at Sam Houston State, passing for 3,481 yards and 32 touchdowns (and only 12 interceptions) as a senior. His passing yardage total was the best in Sam Houston history and ranks him eighth all-time in career passing yards. Following his senior season, he was one of 16 players considered for the Walter Payton Award
Walter Payton Award
The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding offensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors...
, given to the top performer in NCAA Division 1-AA football.
Arizona Cardinals
McCown shot up the draft charts after an outstanding performance at the NFL Combine, which saw him post a 4.57 40-yard dash, a 10-foot long jump, and a 38½-inch vertical jump. After being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
, future Cardinals coach Dennis Green
Dennis Green
Dennis "Denny" Green is an American football head coach for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League...
said of McCown, "I think he's going to be a great one, when I buy into a quarterback, I really do." McCown played as a quarterback for the Cardinals from 2002 until 2005. In his first season at Arizona, he played in two games, debuting against the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
when he entered to the game for starter Jake Plummer
Jake Plummer
Jason Steven "Jake" Plummer is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State....
. In 2003 played in eight games with three starts Completed 95 of 166 passes with 57.2 for 1,018 yards with five TDs and six INTs and also rushed for a career-high 158 yards and a TD on 28 carries. His best season for the Cardinals was in 2004 when he played in 14 games and passed for 2,511 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 112 yards and two TDs on 36 attempts. In his career he has rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit for a victory on four occasions, all of them in 2004. He connected on a career-high 76.9 percent of his passes, 20 of 26 at Atlanta. He started for the Cardinals at the first regular season game outside United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, played at Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca is a stadium in Santa Ursula, Mexico City, Mexico. It is the official home stadium of the Mexico national football team and the Mexican team Club América.The stadium was the venue for football soccer in the 1968 Summer Olympics....
on October 2, 2005 against the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, but McCown relinquished the starting role to Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
in 2005.
Detroit Lions
In the 2006 off-season, McCown was released by the Cardinals and became a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
on March 16, 2006. He was the backup quarterback to Jon Kitna
Jon Kitna
Jon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
, and was occasionally used in as the Y (slot receiver), passing Corey Bradford
Corey Bradford
Corey Lamon Bradford is a former American football wide receiver. He played for the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, and Detroit Lions.-High school years:...
and Mike Williams on the depth chart as the third WR. McCown caught 2 passes for 15 yards when playing wide receiver in 2006 making his career total 3 catches for 10 yards against the New England Patriots. After the Lions drafted Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans are the athletic team that represent Michigan State University. The school's athletic program includes 25 varsity sports teams. Their mascot is a Spartan warrior named Sparty, and the school colors are green and white...
quarterback Drew Stanton
Drew Stanton
Drew Emeric Stanton is a quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the Michigan State Spartans.-Early life:...
in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
, McCown was traded along with wide receiver Mike Williams to the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick, A. J. Davis
A. J. Davis (American football)
A. J. Davis is an American football cornerback currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
.
Oakland Raiders
McCown's first regular season start for the Raiders was the 2007 season opener against his former team, the Lions. He was impressive, completing 30 of 40 passes for 313 yards with two touchdowns in a 36-21 loss to the Lions. Unfortunately, he also threw two interceptions and fumbled late in the game to end the Raiders' attempt at a comeback. McCown had played through the second half of the game against the Lions with a right foot injury. McCown has struggled this season with injuries, and in 13 games McCown has only played in 7, losing 5 games and winning 2. In the 7 games that McCown played in, he completed 85 of 143 passes for 901 yards with 9 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Veteran quarterback Daunte CulpepperDaunte Culpepper
Daunte Rachard Culpepper is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He last played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League . Prior to joining the UFL, Culpepper enjoyed a successful National Football League career after being drafted 11th overall in...
was signed by the Raiders prior to the start of the 2007 season, and was used as a back-up quarterback to Josh McCown when McCown was active. But when McCown was unable to play, Culpepper was the starting quarterback for the Raiders, playing in 7 games, winning 3 games, and losing 4 games. Daunte Culpepper was questionable for the Raiders game against the Denver Broncos on December 2 after missing practice on November 30 with sore quadriceps. However, Josh McCown's status was listed as probable and ended up being the starting quarterback against the Broncos. Along with running back Justin Fargas
Justin Fargas
Justin Fargas is an American football running back who is a Free Agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, Josh McCown led the Raiders to a 34-20 victory over the Denver Broncos, improving the Raiders record to 4 and 8. The next week, Josh McCown left the game against the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
with an injury and the Raiders lost, eliminating them from playoff contention.
Miami Dolphins
On February 29, 2008, McCown signed a two-year contract with the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Prior to training camp in July, McCown needed six stitches in his throwing hand's index finger. He suffered the injury holding firewood as his brother Luke
Luke McCown
Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League...
chopped it.
Coming into the preseason, McCown was listed in the Dolphin's depth chart as their starting quarterback over John Beck. Following the signing of free agent quarterback Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
, McCown failed to appear in the team's final three preseason games. He was traded to the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
on August 29.
Carolina Panthers
On August 29, 2008, the Carolina PanthersCarolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
acquired McCown from the Dolphins for a 7th round pick (#237 overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. The move came a day after Panthers quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Matt Moore
Matt Moore (American football)
Matthew Erickson Moore is an American Football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He played college football at UCLA and Oregon State...
suffered a leg injury. He made his debut as a Panthers player when he entered the field against the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
only for the end-game kneeldowns that drained the last 73 seconds from the clock . He had the same role against Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
.
Hartford Colonials
McCown was signed by the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League on August 3, 2010. McCown threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener 27-10 victory over the Sacramento Mountain Lions. He was then named the player of the week. In Week 2, he had another solid performance with 264 yards passing and two touchdowns. In Week 4 of the UFL, McCown threw for 223 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. By the end of the season, McCown finished off with over 1,000 yards passing.San Francisco 49ers
On August 17, 2011, McCown signed with the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. He was released by the 49ers on September 3, 2011.
Chicago Bears
On November 23, 2011, McCown signed with the Chicago Bears, as a backup to Caleb Hanie, after an injury to Starting QB Jay Cutler.Career statistics
Regular season| Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | Comp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | INT | Att | Yds | TD | ||
| 2002 2002 NFL season The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each... |
Arizona Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
NFL National Football League The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing... |
2 | 7 | 18 | 38.9 | 66 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2003 2003 NFL season -Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *... |
Arizona | NFL | 8 | 95 | 166 | 57.2 | 1018 | 5 | 6 | 28 | 158 | 1 | ||
| 2004 2004 NFL season The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005... |
Arizona | NFL | 14 | 233 | 408 | 57.1 | 2511 | 11 | 10 | 36 | 112 | 2 | ||
| 2005 2005 NFL season The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006... |
Arizona | NFL | 9 | 163 | 270 | 60.4 | 1838 | 9 | 11 | 29 | 139 | 0 | ||
| 2006 2006 NFL season The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006... |
Detroit Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
NFL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2007 2007 NFL season The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30.... |
Oakland Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
NFL | 9 | 111 | 190 | 58.4 | 1151 | 10 | 11 | 29 | 143 | 0 | ||
| 2008 2008 NFL season The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the... |
Carolina Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... |
NFL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -3 | 0 | ||
| Regular season totals | 46 | 609 | 1052 | 57.9 | 6582 | 35 | 40 | 127 | 569 | 3 | ||||