Josh McCown, the affable backup quarterback who excelled with Jay Cutler injured in 2013, retired Monday after 15 NFL seasons, two weeks shy of his 40th birthday.
McCown won three-of-five starts as Cutler’s backup in 2013, keeping the Bears on track for a playoff spot they’d eventually lose on the final game of the season. He started two games for the Bears in 2011, too, winning one. The Bears valued his presence in the quarterbacks’ room; Jay Cutler considered him a friend.
His performance under Marc Trestman landed McCown a two-year, $10 million deal with Lovie Smith’s Buccaneers in 2014.