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New York Jets Officially Sign Quarterback Josh McCown

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) throws a pass against the New York Jets during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) throws a pass against the New York Jets during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets have agreed to a one-year deal with quarterback Josh McCown.

The New York Jets have finally landed a quarterback. It was announced that they signed free agent Josh McCown to a one-year deal. McCown had visited the Jets over the weekend and things reportedly went very well. Those reports must have been true, as his signing became official.

McCown’s agent, Mike McCartney, shared the news via his Twitter account that his client would be signing with the Jets.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared details on the deal. McCown will make $6 million guaranteed, but there are plenty of incentives that could push the price even higher. SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano confirmed the incentives in the contract can push McCown’s earnings up to $13 million.

McCown will make $125,000 for every game he plays at least half of the snaps in and can earn up to $2 million that way. There are team-based incentives as well that will be difficult to achieve, such as making the postseason, appearing in the Super Bowl, and winning the Super Bowl. Those incentives add up to $5 million, with $2 million for a playoff appearance and $1.5 million for the Super Bowl ones.

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The Jets more than likely will not have to worry about paying the playoff incentives. McCown has gone 2-20 as a starter the past three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns. In his career, McCown is 18-42 with his best win-loss record coming with the Chicago Bears from 2011-2013.

Part of the struggles can be attributed to the poor teams that McCown has been a part of. He has a career completion percentage of 59.1, throwing for 14,242 yards, 79 touchdowns, and 69 interceptions.

This is far from a perfect situation for the Jets, but McCown is probably the best they could do. Given the other options currently available, McCown, especially at his price, isn’t a horrible addition.

He gives the Jets a chance at having some competency at the quarterback position. He has been injury prone, so the Jets will probably have regular season snaps available for either Bryce Petty or Christian Hackenberg. McCown presents a good mentor for the two young quarterbacks and knows his role with the team.

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McCown will buy the Jets some time while they still look for a franchise quarterback. Will Petty or Hackenberg step up this season? If not, they at least have a veteran to keep the seat warm as they continue their search.

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