Tom Brady is not the only 40-something quarterback NFL clubs are closely monitoring these days. Numerous clubs are also keeping tabs on longtime quarterback Josh McCown as well, sources said, with the 42-year-old still in great shape and helping to coach his son's high school team in Texas.
McCown was on the Eagles' practice squad last season, but working remotely in Texas before the Texans acquired him and he finished the season in Houston. The Texans were serious about McCown as a potential head coaching candidate -- as reported in the past numerous organizations believe he will be an NFL head coach in short order -- but he did not move forward with that process and opted to return to Rusk, Texas, where his boys are high school-football standouts.
The Jaguars and Jets were among the teams to express interest in McCown in the offseason, sources said, and they and others continue to check in about his interest in returning to the NFL after their high school season is complete. McCown could return to the NFL by Week 9 or 10, should a scenario emerge that is to his liking, though he has not made a formal determination of what he would do in November when Rusk's season is complete.
The Jets and Jaguars could both use a veteran with McCown's experience and savvy to help air the development of the quarterbacks they selected at the top of the 2021 draft, and that remains a roster deficiency for them as well now. A contending team could lose a quarterback due to injury by the middle of the season as well, creating more demand of McCown.
McCown was viewed as a vital contributor to the development of Carson Wentz in Philadelphia (Wentz's play deteriorated with McCown no longer in the team facility, for whatever it's worth), and served in a similar role for the Jets with Sam Darnold as well, and his ability to help young quarterbacks in their mental and physical development is one of the keys to his longevity.
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