Josh McCown rumors: Top 3 landing spots

Josh McCown might be nearing the end of his career, but he remains a terrific option as a backup quarterback who can spot start.

Josh McCown turns 39 years old in July. In other words, nobody is going to be banging down his door to be a starter, but as a backup? Teams will be hard-pressed to do better. McCown has thrown for 17,168 yards and 97 touchdowns in his journeyman career, showcasing the stereotypical line of a high-end No. 2.

Last season, McCown threw for 2,926 yards and 18 touchdowns with the New York Jets, helping a team that was predicted to finish winless by some to a 5-11 mark. McCown got hurt down the stretch, limiting him to 13 games, the second-most appearances for a single season in his career.

Best fits

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City is going with Patrick Mahomes this season, but who is there behind him? The Chiefs have to be looking for a veteran, and if Chase Daniel doesn’t return to Arrowhead, McCown would be terrific there. Mahomes could use someone to bounce things off of, and this signing would make a perfect situation in the quarterback room.

2. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals need somebody who can suit up at quarterback. Currently, Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert are free agents, while Carson Palmer retired. Arizona will be big-game hunting for a starter, but McCown would provide some nice insurance, especially if the Cardinals go young in front of him.

Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time

3. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland already employed McCown once, doing so in the 2015-16 seasons. Now, with DeShone Kizer playing miserable football a year ago and the team poised to take a quarterback with the top pick in April’s draft, McCown makes sense. The veteran would be part of the three-man room, and his experience, knowledge and professionalism would be invaluable.