McCown goal: Be Jets’ QB
Josh McCown knows he is a veteran quarterback competing against upstarts, but the 37-year-old plans on winning the Jets’ starting job and keeping it.
“That’s the goal,” McCown said on a conference call with reporters Wednesday. “You go in to compete and win the job. … My mindset is to come and learn the offense, do everything I can to master it this spring and training camp. Then, if I’m the guy, play the position as well as I can until it changes.
“Obviously, as a competitor, you don’t expect that to change. You don’t want that to change. I plan to go out and play well.”
McCown echoed coach Todd Bowles, saying this will be an open competition with Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty for the starting spot. While McCown probably is the favorite because of his experience, Jets fans will be waiting to see one of the younger guys at some point in the season.
The Jets signed McCown to a one-year, $6 million deal to be their bridge quarterback to the younger guys and provide a mentor for them. McCown is embracing that role.
“I look forward to working with Hack and Bryce, trying to give away the things I’ve learned in my career and hopefully make their journeys better throughout their career,” McCown said. “That’s something I believe in as a person, in every walk of life. If you can give something away and can make someone else’s journey better, you’ll have a different sense of peace.”
McCown has played for seven teams in 14 seasons. He also spent time in the United Football League and coached high school football in North Carolina. Since a strong 2013 season with the Bears (13 touchdowns, one interception), McCown has struggled. Over three seasons with the Buccaneers and Browns, McCown is 2-20 as a starter with 29 TDs and 24 interceptions.
“I don’t like those numbers, either,” McCown said. “I believe in myself and believe that this will be different because I will have learned from those things. I’m excited about playing in this offense.”
Jets guard Brian Winters said McCown already has made an impression as a leader.
“He’s just vocal,” Winters said. “Wasn’t quiet. Wasn’t sitting in the back. He was trying to lead us from the beginning, doing things with the offense and trying to get us in the right position early on.”
Jets defensive lineman Leonard Williams said he is on board with the rebuilding plan of Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan.
“One thing I’ve been sticking to and saying to a lot of people here and a lot of people who ask me about it, you know, I’m trusting the process,” Williams said. “We have a new GM and a new head coach [actually in their third year] who want their specific guys here and there was a lot of guys here before they got here that they didn’t necessarily draft or didn’t know if they wanted them here or not, so I think I’m just kind of moving on from it. That was this offseason and now we’re back and we have all new guys. I’m trying to focus on the guys that we have here and not the guys that we don’t.”
Williams talked about his goals for Year 3.
“I’m going to try to make it back [to the Pro Bowl] again, but not be an alternate,” he said. “I’m trying to get at least 10-plus [sacks] this year and try to keep elevating my game. Outside of that, I want to step up my leadership role.”
The Jets claimed offensive lineman Alex Balducci off waivers from the 49ers.