McCown Could Earn $9 Million This Season
March 13th, 2014
New Bucs starting quarterback Josh McCown is not only elated because he’s gone from career journeyman to the unquestioned general of the Bucs offense, Team Glazer also made McCown a very rich man.
ESPN delivered the stunning numbers.
The journeyman quarterback will make $4.75 million in 2014-15 and $5.25 million in 2015-16, the sources told Schefter. The deal also guarantees $4.75 million, a source told ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright. McCown’s agent, Michael McCartney, confirmed the two-year deal.
He can earn $5 million more in incentives — $1 million each year for playing time and another $3 million for reaching the playoffs, sources told Schefter.
Darn, that’s a lot of cash for an unproven guy for Josh McCown. Heck, Lovie Smith already said he can win 10 games with a nasty defense, strong special team and only little from his offense.
Joe can only imagine what Bucs fans would have said a year ago today about the thought of McCown leading their offense.
But talking to both Lovie Smith and Jason Licht one-on-one yesterday, Joe could see how passionate and sincere both were when they said they believe McCown is a changed/improved quarterback over the past two seasons and an undeniable leader with his best football in front of him.
Joe’s giving McCown a clean slate, of course. Go kick some ass, Josh.
If he looks like the 2013 version of Mike Glennon, well, then McCown won’t be leading the Bucs offense in 2015. Of course, Joe’s desire for Teddy Bridgewater or Johnny Football has not been dampened. It’s actually enhanced by the thought of one of them being mentored by McCown.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:49 pm
If we make it to the damn playoffs, I’m sure every Bucs fan would be ELATED to pitch in their portion of that $3 million bonus.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:49 pm
I’m not upset since they tied 3 MILLION to making the playoffs. I have no problem with paying somebody for success. It blows away signing somebody for mega bucks and then getting nothing in return.
I hope Josh McCown does earn 9 million this year! That means the Bucs will be in the playoffs!!! Happy days are here again.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
I’m pretty nervous about McCown. There’s a reason this guy was a journeyman for 10 years before his 5 game stretch last season. This is Rex Grossman all over again; Lovie Smith commits to a QB more suited for a backup role as his starter and places unwavering faith in him.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:55 pm
A huge waste of money
March 13th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
How do incentives like this impact the cap? If the Bucs are $3 million under the cap when the season starts and McCown earns $5 million in incentives, do they have to cut someone? Or, do they have to factor incentives in when figuring out how close to the cap they are (i.e., do his incentives already count against the cap)?
March 13th, 2014 at 1:07 pm
The thing is he can only earn those xtra 4 million by being successfull, heck 3 mill for making the playoffs for the first time since 2007, sounds fine to me!
March 13th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Any word on Evan Deitrich- Smith?
March 13th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
You can take down your fathead of Johnny Manziel now, Joe.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
When McCown is the “weakest link” of this team, we will finally be getting competitive again….not a long term solution, but better than Freeman was or a young Glennon would be.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Joy in Bucville. The Rich Gannon story!
Nothing a nice single malt won’t fix!
March 13th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
How much does he pay the Bucs back when he throws his 20 int?
March 13th, 2014 at 1:26 pm
Scratch off Sammy Watkins for the Bucs. Kiper has him going to us so now that’s not going to happen
March 13th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Oh boy.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Chicago Bears JV Squad!
March 13th, 2014 at 1:28 pm
Can’t wait to see how this motivates Mike Glennon. Lovie is not the 1st coach to claim are particular quarterback is the starter-Only to change his mind after the preseason. So lets see how it all plays out-I’m excited
March 13th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
@biff barker
Yes-A good aged single malt-A remedy to cure all ills
March 13th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
I’ve heard reports that along with the Ravens the Bucs are an option for Steve Smith. Considering him stating the profound love he still has for the city of Carolina can anyone see him actually stabbing them in the back and coming to us?
March 13th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
After looking at the schedule, optimistically I see a 9/7 finish. I don’t think that will make the playoffs this year. Purely speculation of course. I would be happy to see improvement across the board and some cohesion where in the past there was none.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
@lightningbuc – I bet if you won the lottery you’d complain about having to pay taxes on the money
March 13th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
He gets paid if he succeeds. That’s fine with me. I agree he may not be the long term answer but when have we had a long term answer?? Very few teams do. If he can be a good game manager and our D can keep us in the game……heck if we could have scored in the second half last year we would have been in the mix. Time will tell how all the changes work out but I for one have been tired of what has happened for the last 5 years. I seriously do not think it will be worse and it has potential to be a very good thing. So far they have kept the best parts of what was here and improved (potentially) the weak spots. I hate to see long term BUCS leave but it’s not like we have been competitive for some time.
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 13th, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Lovie cut McNoun last year in Chicago. He was so out of work, he actually volunteered to coach a high school team.
Then, he was brought back, and played well.
His overall record is not good, except for last year.
I am just gonna have to trust Lovie, at this point.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Sign
Captain Munnerlyn
Julius Peppers
Emmanuel Sanders
March 13th, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Ted Ginn Jr
March 13th, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Based off the fact Carolina is seemingly letting all their receivers go, wouldn’t surprise me now if they made a strong play to move up in the draft and get Sammy Watkins. Something similar to what Atlanta did to get Julio.
March 13th, 2014 at 2:01 pm
I’m really excited to see what Brian Griese, er …. Jeff Garcia, um …. Josh McCown can do for the Bucs.
March 13th, 2014 at 2:09 pm
I am listening to McCown now. Damn I like this guy!
March 13th, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Lets hope his good performance last year wasn’t just a fluke, if it was he won’t be the unquestioned general for very long. I will also be very interested to watch how Glennon improves this year. I’m glad Lovie said MG was important to the team, I hope he was sincere about it. We’ll see.
March 13th, 2014 at 2:35 pm
My feeling is he’s over-rated… they overpaid for him and underpaid for Verner so I guess it all cancels out in the wash.
I can’t see intending to use a #7 pick on Bridgewater or JF and then paying a backup QB that kind of money. Either of those premier picks should be starting day 1.
I can see a lower tier QB diamond-in-the-rough drafted who wouldn’t be expected to start until a year or two go by.
March 13th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
This is garbage. Lovie is playing it safe. Banking on a “veteran QB”. This guy is very, very unimpressive.
March 13th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
While I do think McCown is a capable veteran, I don’t think he is the long term answer at QB…but he is safer than risking a #1 pick on a guy like Manziel or Bortles. I still think that Glennon eventually beats Josh out for the #1 job, but even if he doesn’t, I will be happy if McCown helps us win and get back to the playoffs!
March 13th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
not egregious overpayment for a guy you hope gets beat out by a player on a rookie contract. still way below league average spending on the position overall, and the bigger money only comes if he’s playing most of our snaps and the bucs are a playoff team. i’m not really sold on the player, but i love performance based deals and deals with team-friendly outs, i’d argue this contract has both.
March 13th, 2014 at 3:18 pm
for whatever little it’s worth, he & glennon certainly carry themselves like a NFL QB and a leader of men, and i don’t doubt both will put in the necessary work to be successful. that wasn’t the case with our previous QB and i don’t get the same vibe from JBF’s #2 fantasy behind rachel watson either
March 13th, 2014 at 4:02 pm
IF he makes the entire 9 million that would be a great thing for the Bucs. That means he is performing well and we would…wait for it….actually make the playoffs. That would be a bargain deal considering what the big QBs make nowadays.
I’m all on board with the wagon containing the wishful thinking Sammy Watkins falls to us at #7 in the draft. Our team would be on paper an instant playoff team. We might be already be. Especially if we add Peanut Tillman, Emmanuel Sanders, and the Center Dietrich-Smith.
March 13th, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Love saving the 8 million for cutting Penn. Still not a huge fan of letting Davin Joseph go, but it is what it is. If Watkins isn’t there at #7 then I would be a fan of trading down to get an extra 2nd rounder. If we can’t then either Mack or Matthews should be there. I love Matthews and think his aggressiveness and sometimes evil play would be a great addition. We could play him at RT to start out with since we signed Collins. If Collins doesn’t work out then we would already have our new LT in house. And Mack is the most athletically gifted LB/DE I’ve seen in this years class.
March 13th, 2014 at 4:59 pm
What if Glennon tears it up in practice and preseason? Does Josh sit?
March 13th, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Does anyone here actually watch football or just look at stats?
March 13th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
I’m thinking they trade down and aim for Garoppollo late in the first round and a 4th round pick.
March 13th, 2014 at 8:18 pm
Gannon 2.0… look up their stats, it’s eerie.
I’m thinking they go with the Marcus Arroyo connection and go for Brett Smith in round 5.