McCown & out: Jets have to move on without leader
The Jets officially lost their leader Monday.
Tests on Josh McCown’s broken left hand confirmed the team’s and the quarterback’s worst fears: He needs surgery on the hand and is out for the final three games of the season.
It is ac rushing blow to the 38-year-old McCown, who was having the best season of his 15-year career. The Jets were going nowhere anyway after Sunday’s 23-0 loss to the Broncos, but it is a mental setback for the Jets to lose their leader.
“He meant a lot [to the Jets],” coach Todd Bowles said. “His leadership meant a lot from the time he walked in the door, just always doing the right thing and saying the right things and helping everybody on the team, not just offensively, but defensively as well. Not to mention the fact that he made some plays out there on the field that’s helped us out.”
The Jets will turn to third-year quarterback Bryce Petty to start Sunday against the Saints in New Orleans. Petty made four starts last season, but had not played this year until Sunday, when McCown left the game on two different occasions. Petty struggled against the Broncos, completing just 2-of-9 passes for 14 yards.
“He’s been taking notes on the side line ,” Bowl es said .“It’ s an opportunity for him. He’ll get the majority of reps this week. He’ll be well-prepared to play come the game on Sunday. He knows he’s got an opportunity to step up and make plays. I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”
Christian Hackenberg will serve as the backup. Bowles said he is comfortable playing Hackenberg if he has to. Bowles also said the team will consider adding a third quarterback to either the active roster or the practice squad in case one of the other two quarterbacks is injured.
The Jets were trying to process the loss of McCown, who has been far better than anyone expected this season. The Jets signed him to a one-year, $6 million deal plus incentives in March. He hit some of those incentives by starting 13 games, making an additional $1.625 million.
McCown set career highs in passing yards (2,926), touchdown passes (18), touchdown runs (5) and completion percentage (67.3).
“Losing Josh def initely sucks,” wide receiver Jermaine Kearse said. “The type of season he was having and just his presence as a leader in the locker room and for our offense was huge. But it’s the next man up, we got three games left and Bryce will be the guy. I’ve been working with him. I think Bryce is going to come in prepared and he’s going to be ready to go.’’
McCown had played every snap this season until he injured his left hip in the first half Sunday. He returned after missing a few plays, but exited again in the third quarter after a hit from Broncos linebacker Shane Ray left him clutching his left hand. An X-ray at Sports Authority Field showed a broken left hand and left McCown in tears after the game. But he wanted to get additional tests to confirm the injury on Monday. Those tests showed he needs surgery.
The Jets will miss McCown on the field and off.
“The best thing about Josh is his leadership,” center Wes Johnson said. “He’s a great player, but f irst day of OTAs he organized a playersonly practice, an efficient one hour, and he’s kind of been that guy ever since then, that guy that controls our offense.’’
Bowles said he and McCown had an emotional conversation Sunday night and then talked again Monday. McCown will be a free agent in March. There is no guarantee he wants to keep playing or if he does that the Jets would bring him back. Bowles said he was not sure if McCown wants to play in 2018.
“Me and Josh have a great relat i onship,” Bowles sa i d. “I have respect for him as a player and as a man. We’ll move on from there, but we’ll forever be connected.”