New York Jets: Josh McCown signed to a one-year contract to return

The New York Jets are bringing back Josh  McCown on a one year contract.

Everyone following the day’s events knows that the New York Jets have missed out on their prized target, Kirk Cousins. The quarterbacks dominoes have fallen, with the likes of Case Keenum and Sam Bradford as well signing with teams. The Jets were still in need of a veteran quarterback to help out with any rookie they draft. They found one, and you all have heard of him:

That’s right. Josh McCown will be back on a one-year contract. According to Rich Cimini, it’s worth ten million dollars. McCown was a pleasant surprise to all of us last year, completing over 67% of his passes and throwing for 18 touchdowns versus only nine interceptions. It was the best year of his career by a wide margin.

Josh was also quite emotional at the end of the season. Here is a video of just how much he loved being in New York. He really seemed to find a home here with the Jets. He saw the window of his time in the NFL closing quickly so he must be thrilled to be back for another season in New York.

Ultimately this isn’t a bad idea and one many of us expected if the Jets missed on bringing in Kirk Cousins. When McCown emerged as the best quarterback on the roster he played far above his head, even keeping the Jets, albeit remotely, in the playoff discussion for a portion of the 2017 season.

$10 million, however, is a really big number for a bridge quarterback. Let’s be honest, six was a big number last year but at least he started all year until he got hurt. This year the expectation has to be that McCown would start until the drafted quarterback is ready to take over. Even if they sign Teddy Bridgewater, they still have the ability to draft a quarterback with the sixth pick or higher if they move up.

Next: Bridgewater on the radar

If that isn’t the expectation they have made a huge mistake. If Josh McCown is back and the intention is that he plays all season, the Jets simply don’t get it. Players in sports always fall back upon their career averages. Fellow blogger Joe Caporoso of Turn on the Jets calls it “regression to the mean” and he is absolutely right. Players play to where their numbers average out.

If McCown starts all season he is going to play like the Josh McCown we have seen in other locations. At 39 he didn’t just reinvent his game, he had a good season. The odds of him playing to that level again are very slim. The move is a good one if he is set to give the reigns to a rookie like Kurt Warner did for Eli Manning. If not, this is a big mistake.