In a piece published Monday in “The Players Tribune,” the journeyman quarterback announced his retirement from the NFL after 16 seasons.
“It’s been one heck of a journey. And now, strange as it feels to say, after 17 years … that journey is coming to an end. Today, I’m officially retiring,” McCown wrote, in part. “When you decide to retire, your whole football life kind of flashes before your eyes. And in it, you see all the people who played a role in making your career possible.
“So to everybody who’s been a part of it — Coach (Matt) Turner, (wife) Natalie, my family, my teammates … everybody — thank you, from the bottom of my heart. It’s been one heck of a journey.
“And I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
McCown, who turns 40 next month, was selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2002 draft and went on to have stints with the Lions, Raiders, Panthers, Bears, Buccaneers, Browns and the past two seasons with the Jets. He became an unrestricted free agent after the 2018 season.
He finishes his career having completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 17,707 yards and 98 touchdowns with 82 interceptions in 99 games (76 starts). According to Spotrac, he made just shy of $50 million in his 16 seasons.
It didn’t take long for McCown to signal what’s next: Later Monday, ESPN announced that it had hired McCown as an NFL analyst. He’ll make his debut Wednesday on “NFL Live.”
“I am excited to make the transition into broadcasting with ESPN which will allow me to still be involved with the game I love. I look forward to bringing ESPN viewers the unique insights that I have gained throughout my career,” he said in a statement.
