Add another quarterback to the free agent pile.
A familiar face will be available in free agency should the Chicago Bears decide to be nostalgic, as Josh McCown was released by the Browns on Tuesday.
McCown played his best ball for the Bears in relief of Jay Cutler in 2013, when he led the Bears to a 3-2 record, and threw for 1,829 yards, 13 touchdowns and 1 interception, to go along with a 109.0 passer rating in eight games.
… However, that isn’t to say McCown should be brought back to Chicago and installed as a starter in an attempt to re-live a few weeks of glory from 2013. Since McCown’s magical run, he has thrown 29 touchdowns and 24 interceptions, completed 58.7% of his passes, owned a 2-20 record as a starter and 79.3 passer rating.
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In 2016, McCown appeared in five games for the Browns, starting three, and throwing for 1100 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He completed just 54.6% of his passes, and posted a 72.3 passer rating.
He will be 38 in July, but McCown could conceivably carve out a role somewhere for 2017 as something of a mentor for a younger quarterback. The Bears have a number of quarterback decisions to make, both in the starter spot and the primary backup spot, but it’s hard to see McCown coming in at this point to fill the latter role.
McCown has made a nice living as a career backup, but nothing more should be expected from him in whatever is left of his NFL career.