Gauging Josh McCown’s free agency value

Quarterback Josh McCown of the New York Jets has confirmed he will be back in 2018 and expressed interest in returning to the team but what is his value if he hits the free agency market?

Earlier in the week, veteran quarterback Josh McCown confirmed that he will indeed continue playing football in 2018. Whether or not that will be with the New York Jets remains to be seen. On one hand, it would make sense to bring him back as an insurance policy in a backup role. On the other hand, do the Jets really want to have another season a 39-year-old quarterback as their starter?

This could really go either way with only time telling as to whether or not McCown will be back with the Jets this upcoming season. If both sides can’t come to an agreement and he does hit the free agency market, what would be his value?

Unfortunately, most people know, especially general managers, what you’re getting with McCown. He’s a great leader of men, humble, and can manage a football game efficiently. Unfortunately, he’s limited when it comes to his on-the-field abilities due to a lack of arm strength and well, the fact that he’s coming off an injury-shortened season.

McCown broke his hand last season and needed surgery for it to be healed properly. General managers also know that throughout his entire 15-year career in the NFL, he’s never played a full season healthy. Ever. Yes, he continues to get hurt and miss playing time when he’s starting, which for any player, let alone a quarterback, is risky to invest money into.

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Realistically, McCown’s free agency market value is little at best. For a team that wants a smart veteran quarterback as a backup or in a mentor role, there is no one better than him. For a team hoping to channel some of the solid play he had last season with the Jets, hope isn’t always reality.

Last year with the Jets was McCown’s best season of his entire career and he only went 5-11 with the Jets. Needless to say, he’s not a franchise quarterback a team can build around on and probably had another year or two tops before he calls it quits.

The Jets are in a good situation if they want to bring him back since he won’t exactly have a plethora of teams rushing to call his agent to acquire his services. McCown is at best a backup quarterback since if last season proved anything, it’s that the Jets need to do something completely different at quarterback. Whether that’s to pay top dollar for a free agent quarterback or select one in this year’s draft, McCown would at best be good to bring back in such a role. Either way, expect to see McCown more than likely return to the team in 2018 since even he probably knows he’s not going to draw much interest, if any, in this year’s free agency period.