NFL players congratulate Jets QB Josh McCown on retirement

New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown retired Monday after 17 NFL seasons, and players from across the league are showering the veteran with kind words.

When you play for 10 different teams over 17 years in the NFL, you’re bound to have a long list of former teammates.

Veteran quarterback Josh McCown was the poster-child for the journeyman quarterback, and after finishing up his unique run as a pro football player with the New York Jets, he’s getting tons of praise from players across the league.

Former teammates and other players took to social media following McCown’s announcement to applaud him for his long, successful career:

Help me in congratulating @JoshMcCown12 on an incredible journey and career throughout his 17 years in the NFL. As awesome and selfless of a player and teammate you were, you’re an even better friend,husband,father and most importantly a great man of God. pic.twitter.com/m543UQWxjD

— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) June 18, 2019

Congrats on the long career man and I learned a lot from you in the years we played together. Thank you for everything

— Gary Barnidge (@garybarnidge) June 18, 2019

Ya done well Joshua!

— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) June 18, 2019

Love u big bro! Great Career @JoshMcCown12 https://t.co/AJgAWqttEK

— Christian Kirksey (@Kirko58) June 18, 2019

https://twitter.com/PhilTaylor98/status/1140973195077541889

Appreciate you Uncle Josh @JoshMcCown12

— Elijah McGuire (@Mr_Adversityy) June 17, 2019

https://twitter.com/KelvinBeachumJr/status/1140777471895322625

Congratulations on your great career @JoshMcCown12! No doubt one of the best teammates and people I’ve played with. Enjoy retirement Josh! pic.twitter.com/5m7dfk2RUu

— Brent Qvale (@brentqvale) June 18, 2019

https://twitter.com/josh_dobbs1/status/1140745431565111297

https://twitter.com/BIGN98/status/1141027998000394242

The average NFL career is typically said to be around 3.5 seasons, making McCown’s nearly two-decade run quite the exception to the rule. It’s especially unique for a player to stick around that long while changing teams as often as McCown did, but his combination of experience and leadership ability were always valued by another franchise once he was let go by a team.

A third-round pick in the 2002 NFL draft out of Sam Houston State, McCown played four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, three with the Chicago Bears, two each with the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Jets, and one year each with the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He finishes his career with 17,707 passing yards, 98 touchdown passes, 82 interceptions, 1,108 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.

While playing for the Jets in 2017, at 38 years old, McCown enjoyed the best statistical season of his career, throwing for 2,926 yards, 18 touchdowns and and just nine interceptions, along with five rushing touchdowns.

What will you remember most about McCown’s time with the Jets? Give us your thoughts in the comment section!