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Buffalo Bills in discussions with QB Josh McCown

By Cory Buck

Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (12) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers as the Green Bay Packers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (12) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers as the Green Bay Packers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Bills are reportedly hosting free agent quarterback Josh McCown.

The Buffalo Bills aren’t wasting any time in addressing their primary weakness. The team is reportedly hosting free agent quarterback Josh McCown in an effort to reach a deal sooner rather than later, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Mike Rodak.

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While Josh McCown certainly hasn’t lit the NFL on fire in his pro career, he stands as an upgrade for Buffalo, whose only quarterback currently on the roster is third-year QB EJ Manuel, whose pro prospects aren’t exactly a sure thing. Acquiring a veteran quarterback in free agency is arguably Buffalo’s top goal for this offseason so it makes sense the team would pursue the first name to become officially available.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Josh McCown earlier this month, which may be a sign that the team prefers to select a quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Even if they don’t, the signs long pointed to the team’s preference for QB Mike Glennon, which made the veteran McCown expendable.

McCown earned his free agent contract from the Buccaneers last offseason thanks to an impressive run in 2013 as the injury replacement for Chicago Bears starter Jay Cutler. In eight appearances, McCown completed over 66% of his throws for 1,829 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception. It was enough to rejuvenate his career and put him back on the map as a potential NFL starter after having failed to make a roster in 2010 and 2012.

The Bills aren’t looking at Josh McCown as a savior, but rather as a stopgap to keep an otherwise talented squad from losing because of a deficiency at one position. Management is clearly wary of EJ Manuel as an every day starter and they want a contingency plan in place much like they had last season when the team signed Kyle Orton out of retirement.

Additionally, if the Bills do sign McCown, don’t think that’s all they have in mind for the position. They’ll almost certainly keep an eye on the impending free agent crop as well and the team may very well be among the first to select a quarterback after the first round of the draft. For now anyways, the team will content itself in trying to secure another option to line up under center.

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