ScoutIndex

HOU HOU

Josh McCown

QB

Drafted 81st overall in the 3rd round of the 2002 draft, Josh McCown arrived from Sam Houston State; SMU. His most recent season came in 2020 with HOU, capping a 19-season NFL career. He posted a 61.5 ScoutIndex Rating last season, an above-average mark that placed him in the 78th percentile among QBs. Few match his burst, which grades in the 96th percentile. Across 16 NFL seasons, he has totaled 17,727 passing yards and 98 touchdowns.

Size

6'4", 218#

College

Sam Houston State; SMU

Draft

Rd 3, 81st overall (2002)

Seasons

2002–2020

2003 ScoutIndex Rating · QB

Methodology
41.9

30th percentile among QBs

7 games · 189 dropbacks

Volume×0.1-0.17
Total EPA×0.24-0.52
Conversion×0.08-0.65
Dropback EPA×0.34-0.58
Accuracy (CPOE)×0.120.00
Ball security×0.12-0.06

2003 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismPassingDecisions & Impact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed82▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among QBs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst96▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine QBs.

Agility95▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine QBs (faster = higher).

Size68▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the QB cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Passing

Arm Strength49▶

Average depth of target on all attempts (air yards ÷ attempts) — a proxy for arm strength; true velocity needs radar-tracked data.

Accuracyno data▶

Completion % over expected (CPOE), attempt-weighted across the season.

Ball Security44▶

Interceptions ÷ dropback (fewer is better).

Decisions & Mobility

Sack Avoidance0▶

Sacks ÷ dropback (fewer is better) — pocket movement and quick decisions, as far as box-score data can show it.

Mobility19▶

Rushing EPA plus rushing yardage per game, from scrambles and designed runs.

Impact

Efficiency29▶

(Passing EPA + rushing EPA) ÷ dropback — the Rating's largest component.

Volume53▶

Total dropbacks (attempts + sacks) this season.

Conversion28▶

(Passing first downs + ½ passing TD) ÷ dropback.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2019PHI49.3224-2
2018NYJ31.44539132
2017NYJ61.5132926181245
2016CLE32.251100621
2015CLE54.98210912981
2014TB34.9112206111273
2013CHI79.98182913691
2011CHI47.83414268
2009CAR4612
2008CAR49.62-3
2007LV379115110149
2006DET49.41215
2005ARI45.9918329139
2004ARI44.51425111111221-5
2003ARI41.97101851641
2002ARI34.126620

Career profile

Josh McCown has appeared in 99 regular-season games across 16 NFL seasons on file, playing for 9 teams: ARI (2002–2005), DET (2006), LV (2007), CAR (2008–2009), CHI (2011–2013), TB (2014), CLE (2015–2016), NYJ (2017–2018), PHI (2019).

As a passer he has thrown for 17,727 yards and 98 touchdowns with 82 interceptions. He has rushed for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a receiver he has caught 3 passes for 10 yards and 0 touchdowns. His most productive passing season was 2017 with NYJ: 2,926 yards and 18 touchdowns in 13 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2013: a 79.9, in the 94th percentile among QBs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2003 splits

regular season
SplitGPass ydsPass TDINTRush ydsRush TD
Home3
546
182/g
2
4
107
36/g
1
Away4
472
118/g
3
2
57
14/g
0
In division4
591
148/g
3
2
81
20/g
0
Out of division3
427
142/g
2
4
83
28/g
1
In wins1
224
224/g
2
1
27
27/g
0
In losses6
794
132/g
3
5
137
23/g
1
On grass5
697
139/g
4
6
118
24/g
1
On turf2
321
161/g
1
0
46
23/g
0
Indoors1
47
47/g
0
0
8
8/g
0
Outdoors6
971
162/g
5
6
156
26/g
1

2003 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 2SEA150 pass yds, 0 TD, 2 INT · 33 rush yds, 0 TD27.6
Week 4LAR47 pass yds, 0 TD, 0 INT · 8 rush yds, 0 TD42.9
Week 11CLE31 pass yds, 0 TD, 2 INT · 9 rush yds, 0 TD32.5
Week 14SF120 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 2 rush yds, 0 TD59.7
Week 15CAR172 pass yds, 0 TD, 1 INT · 47 rush yds, 1 TD47
Week 16SEA274 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 38 rush yds, 0 TD58
Week 17MIN224 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT · 27 rush yds, 0 TD53.8

Josh McCown — common questions

What position does Josh McCown play?
Josh McCown is listed as a QB.
Which teams has Josh McCown played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Josh McCown has played for ARI (2002–2005), DET (2006), LV (2007), CAR (2008–2009), CHI (2011–2013), TB (2014), CLE (2015–2016), NYJ (2017–2018), PHI (2019).
Where did Josh McCown go to college?
Josh McCown played college football at Sam Houston State; SMU.
When was Josh McCown drafted?
Josh McCown was selected in round 3, 81st overall, of the 2002 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Josh McCown scored?
Josh McCown has 111 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (98 passing, 13 rushing).
What is Josh McCown's ScoutIndex Rating?
Josh McCown rated 49.3 for 2019, the 61st percentile among QBs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 3, 2002