Luke McCown
Luke Patrick McCown (born July 12, 1981) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily as a backup.[1] Drafted in the fourth round (106th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in the 2004 NFL Draft out of Louisiana Tech University, McCown appeared in 62 games across five teams, starting 10 with a 2–8 record.[1] Over his career, he completed 216 of 356 pass attempts for 2,370 yards, nine touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, while also rushing for 177 yards.[1] He is the younger brother of longtime NFL quarterback Josh McCown.[2] McCown's professional journey began with the Browns from 2004 to 2006, where he made his NFL debut and first career starts in 2004.[3] He was then traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing there from 2007 to 2008 and earning his first win as a starter in 2007.[3] Subsequent stints included the Jacksonville Jaguars (2009–2011), where he started two games in 2011; the Atlanta Falcons (2012); and the New Orleans Saints (2013–2016), serving as a trusted backup to Drew Brees and starting one game in 2015.[4][3] In 2017, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys during the offseason but was released in September without appearing in a game.[5] McCown announced his retirement on April 20, 2018, reflecting on a career marked by perseverance as a journeyman veteran.[4]Early life
Family background
Luke McCown was born on July 12, 1981, in Jacksonville, Texas, a small town in East Texas with a population of around 14,000 known for its strong high school football tradition.[1] He grew up on a 140-acre ranch as the youngest of three sons to parents Pat and Robin McCown, in a family that placed emphasis on hard work, church attendance, and athletics.[6] McCown's two older brothers, Randy and Josh, both pursued successful football careers as quarterbacks, establishing a family legacy at the position that deeply influenced his own path. Randy, the eldest, started at quarterback for Texas A&M from 1996 to 1999 and later played in the Arena Football League.[7] Josh followed, playing collegiately at Sam Houston State before a 18-year NFL career across 12 teams, becoming a prominent figure in professional football.[7] This sibling dynamic fostered intense competition among the brothers, often through informal games like driveway basketball with their father, which honed their competitive drive early on.[6] Pat McCown, who owned and operated a pallet mill in Jacksonville, played a pivotal role in shaping his sons' discipline and passion for football by requiring them to work long summer shifts starting at age seven, alongside their brothers.[6] These grueling hours—from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.—instilled a strong work ethic and motivated McCown to view football as a viable alternative to manual labor, while the town's vibrant Friday night football culture provided constant community exposure to the sport from a young age.[8] Additionally, high school quarterbacks coach Matt Turner further nurtured the family's football aptitude by drilling fundamentals and attention to detail into all three brothers during their formative years.[9]High school career
Luke McCown attended Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Texas, where he played quarterback for the Fightin' Indians during his junior and senior seasons in 1998 and 1999.[10] Following in the footsteps of his older brothers who had excelled in football, McCown demonstrated strong leadership and poise from the outset as the starting quarterback. He was also a standout in basketball, earning All-District and All-East Texas honors.[11] In his senior year of 1999, McCown helped the team achieve a playoff appearance by defeating Brenham 29-28 in the postseason.[12] Over his high school career, he amassed 28 touchdown passes, setting several school records for passing efficiency and volume at the time.[13] His efforts earned him District Most Valuable Player honors as a senior and two-time All-East Texas selection, highlighting his development into a highly skilled pocket passer with exceptional arm strength.[14] McCown's high school success drew widespread recruiting interest from Division I programs, with rankings as high as No. 2 nationally among quarterback prospects in the class of 2000 by several publications.[15] He received offers from top schools including the University of Oklahoma and Florida State but ultimately committed to Louisiana Tech University, citing the program's proximity to home and a family visit that solidified the fit as the right choice.[15]College career
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
McCown enrolled at Louisiana Tech University in 2000 following a standout high school career that saw him ranked as high as the No. 2 quarterback prospect nationally, choosing the Bulldogs over other major programs.[15] Committing fully to football, he appeared in 43 games over four years from 2000 to 2003, starting 42 as the quarterback.[16] Over his college tenure, McCown anchored the Bulldogs' offense and established himself as a reliable leader on a team that joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2001.[17] His consistent performance helped set school records for passing completions, attempts, and yards, solidifying his legacy as one of the program's most prolific signal-callers despite operating in an offense that balanced passing with ground elements.[18] McCown's sophomore season in 2001 marked a breakout year, where he guided Louisiana Tech to a 7–5 record and the WAC championship—the program's first conference title since the early 1980s—while achieving a high completion percentage that showcased his accuracy and decision-making under pressure.[19] He earned first-team All-WAC honors that year for his pivotal role in the Bulldogs' success, including a berth in the Humanitarian Bowl.[20] As a junior in 2002, McCown continued to lead the offense through a tougher 4–8 campaign, demonstrating resilience by maintaining strong passing volume amid defensive challenges.[21] Throughout his time at Louisiana Tech, McCown was lauded for his leadership qualities, serving as a vocal presence in the huddle and fostering team unity in a physically demanding, balanced offensive scheme that emphasized quarterback poise.[10] His senior year in 2003 further highlighted this, as he received WAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades after key performances, capping a career that elevated the Bulldogs' passing attack and earned him induction into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.[22]College statistics
During his four seasons at Louisiana Tech from 2000 to 2003, Luke McCown established himself as one of the most prolific passers in college football, amassing 12,666 passing yards and 87 touchdowns while attempting 1,775 passes.[23] His statistics reflect a high-volume passing attack, with completion percentages ranging from 56.9% to 66.1% and passer ratings consistently above 122. Below is a year-by-year breakdown of his passing performance.| Year | Games | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | Yards/Att | TD | INT | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 8 | 244 | 369 | 66.1 | 2,544 | 6.9 | 21 | 15 | 134.7 |
| 2001 | 11 | 277 | 469 | 59.1 | 3,337 | 7.1 | 28 | 14 | 132.6 |
| 2002 | 12 | 296 | 505 | 58.6 | 3,539 | 7.0 | 19 | 19 | 122.4 |
| 2003 | 12 | 246 | 432 | 56.9 | 3,246 | 7.5 | 19 | 14 | 128.1 |
Professional career
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns selected Luke McCown in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft, viewing him as a developmental prospect from Louisiana Tech to groom behind veteran quarterbacks.[1] As a rookie, McCown entered the league as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart, positioned behind starter Jeff Garcia and backup Tim Couch, with the coaching staff emphasizing patience in his growth amid a competitive quarterback room.[25] Head coach Butch Davis, who had previously recruited McCown during his college days, prioritized long-term evaluation over immediate playing time for the young signal-caller.[26] McCown received limited snaps during the 2004 preseason, using the opportunities to adjust to NFL speed and schemes while competing for reps in practice.[27] His regular-season debut came in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, where he entered in relief and went 0-for-1 on his only pass attempt, reflecting his initial adjustment challenges as a low-depth option.[28] As injuries to the quarterbacks, including a shoulder sprain to Garcia and back issues to Couch, sidelined the starters, McCown earned his first significant action late in the season, starting four of the Browns' final six games in a rebuilding effort that ended with a 4-12 record.[29] In those starts, he completed 48 of 98 passes for 608 yards, with 4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, achieving a 49.0% completion rate and a 52.6 passer rating—stats that highlighted both his arm talent and the steep learning curve in Cleveland's unstable offense.[1] The Browns' staff under Davis focused on providing McCown with on-field experience to build confidence, despite the team's ongoing quarterback instability and defensive struggles during the transitional year.[30]Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McCown was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the Cleveland Browns on April 24, 2005, in exchange for the Buccaneers' sixth-round draft pick in that year's NFL Draft (203rd overall). He served primarily as a backup quarterback during his initial tenure, appearing on the active roster in 2005 without seeing regular-season action and missing the entire 2006 season after being placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury sustained in training camp.[31][3][32] McCown received his first significant playing time with the Buccaneers in 2007, stepping in for starter Jeff Garcia, who suffered a back injury in late November. He started three games late in the season, helping maintain the team's playoff positioning. His debut start came on December 2 against the New Orleans Saints, where he completed 29 of 37 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, securing a 27-23 road victory—his first NFL win as a starter.[33][34][35] In his second start on December 9 versus the Houston Texans, McCown went 25-for-38 for 266 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, but the Buccaneers lost 23-20 after a late field goal by Houston. He appeared in relief during the December 23 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, completing 17 of 24 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown after entering for the injured Garcia in a 31-6 win. McCown closed out his Buccaneers starts on December 30 against the Carolina Panthers, finishing 21-of-28 for 236 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a 31-23 defeat.[36][37][38] Despite the strong opening performance, McCown struggled with interceptions and adjusting to NFL defensive schemes in subsequent outings, contributing to two losses that prompted Garcia's return for the playoffs; the Buccaneers went 1-2 in his starts. McCown remained with the team through 2008 as a backup before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009.[39][33]Jacksonville Jaguars
Luke McCown was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 5, 2009, in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, marking a return to his namesake city where he was born in Texas and allowing the team to leverage his local connections for community engagement.[40] Upon arrival, McCown assumed the role of backup quarterback behind starter David Garrard, contributing to practice sessions and providing emergency depth during the 2009 season in which he appeared in three games without starting.[1] In the 2010 preseason, McCown delivered notable performances, including a strong outing in the opener against the New England Patriots where he completed 11 of 15 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns, helping solidify his position on the depth chart despite competing against other backups.[41] His regular-season role remained limited as the third-string option until Week 2 against the San Diego Chargers, when he entered late in a loss and suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, leading to his placement on injured reserve and missing the rest of the year.[42] The Jaguars re-signed McCown to a one-year contract on February 28, 2011, retaining him primarily as a backup to support quarterback development and team preparation.[43] Following Garrard's unexpected release before the 2011 season, McCown briefly stepped into the starting role for the first two games, but returned to backup duties after the team drafted Blaine Gabbert, appearing in two additional games that year while focusing on practice contributions and roster stability.[44] McCown's tenure emphasized reliable depth and preseason preparation rather than extended playing time, aligning with his career as a veteran reserve.[1]New Orleans Saints (first stint)
McCown signed with the New Orleans Saints on June 7, 2012, as an unrestricted free agent following a strong performance during rookie minicamp tryouts, securing a one-year contract to serve as the backup quarterback to Drew Brees.[45] His addition provided depth at the position amid the team's efforts to maintain competitiveness after their Super Bowl XLIV victory two years prior.[46] Throughout training camp and preseason, McCown focused on learning the Saints' offensive system under head coach Sean Payton, often simulating Brees' role in practices to aid team preparation.[47] In preseason action, McCown appeared in multiple games, showcasing his experience as a veteran reserve. For instance, in the Saints' second preseason contest against the Houston Texans, he completed 9 of 14 passes for 86 yards while directing scoring drives.[48] These outings highlighted his reliability in relief situations, though no regular-season emergency appearances occurred during this period, as he remained on the depth chart behind Brees. McCown's tenure contributed to the team's overall quarterback room stability during a season where the Saints finished 7-9 and pursued a playoff return.[1] Despite his contributions in exhibition play, the Saints released McCown on August 28, 2012, as part of final roster cuts, opting for other options at backup.[49] This brief first stint underscored McCown's journeyman role, drawing on prior backup experience from teams like the Buccaneers and Jaguars to integrate quickly into a contending offense.[50]Atlanta Falcons
McCown signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on August 28, 2012, one day after being released by the New Orleans Saints following training camp.[51] The move came as the Falcons sought a more experienced backup quarterback after releasing Chris Redman, whose preseason performance included a 53.6% completion rate, no touchdowns, and one interception across three games.[52] At 31 years old, McCown brought veteran stability to the position, having previously worked under Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey during his three seasons (2009–2011) with the Jacksonville Jaguars, providing familiarity with the team's scheme.[53] Throughout the 2012 regular season, McCown served as the primary backup to starting quarterback Matt Ryan on a Falcons team that finished with a 13–3 record and advanced to the NFC Championship Game. He dressed for all 16 games but entered in only two late-game situations, where he did not attempt a pass and recorded two rushes for a total loss of three yards. His role underscored the Falcons' emphasis on a reliable, low-risk reserve behind their established starter, prioritizing experience over developmental prospects amid a competitive NFC South.[55] McCown's contract expired at the end of the season, and the Falcons did not re-sign him, opting instead to pursue other options at backup quarterback for 2013.[56]New Orleans Saints (second stint)
Following his release from the Atlanta Falcons after the 2012 season, McCown signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints on April 1, 2013, marking his return to the team.[57] His prior brief stint with the Saints in 2012 provided familiarity with the organization, facilitating a smooth reintegration into the quarterback room behind starter Drew Brees.[58] McCown served primarily as Brees' backup from 2013 to 2016, appearing in 40 regular-season games without a start until 2015.[1] During this period, he contributed to the team's stability at the position, handling holder duties on field goals and extra points while offering veteran presence amid the Saints' post-Bountygate recovery and roster transitions. In Week 3 of the 2015 season, McCown made his only start for the Saints against the Carolina Panthers after Brees suffered a rotator cuff injury in the previous game; he completed 31 of 38 passes for a career-high 310 yards, though the Saints lost 27-22.[59] Beyond on-field duties, McCown emerged as a locker room leader, mentoring younger players and providing guidance during challenging seasons marked by key suspensions and a team rebuild following the 2012 scandal.[60] He emphasized investing in the development of rookies and young receivers, fostering continuity in a fluctuating roster.[61] The Saints re-signed him annually, including a two-year extension in March 2016 worth $3 million, recognizing his intangible contributions to team culture.[60] McCown was released by the Saints on April 5, 2017, as part of offseason roster adjustments that included signing Chase Daniel as the new backup quarterback.[62]Dallas Cowboys
McCown signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys on July 28, 2017, serving as a veteran backup quarterback to bolster depth during training camp after an injury to another reserve. Coming off four seasons as a backup with the New Orleans Saints, he provided experienced leadership to a young quarterback room led by Dak Prescott.[63] In the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams on August 12, McCown saw his only action of the summer, completing 6 of 13 passes for 31 yards while struggling with protection issues that led to sacks and a fumbled snap. He did not appear in subsequent games due to a sore shoulder and was waived by the Cowboys on September 2 as part of final roster cuts.[64][65] Following his release, McCown announced his retirement from professional football on April 20, 2018, at age 36, ending a 13-year NFL career marked by stints across six teams as a reliable journeyman backup. In his statement, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play the position he had pursued since second grade, describing the decision as bittersweet while highlighting the support from family and coaches that sustained his longevity in a competitive league.[66][67]NFL career statistics
Passing statistics
Luke McCown appeared in 62 NFL games over 10 seasons from 2004 to 2015, starting 10 of them as a backup quarterback. He completed 216 of 356 passes for 2,370 yards, with 9 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, resulting in a career passer rating of 67.7.[1] His most statistically notable season was 2007 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he started three games and passed for 1,009 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions at a 91.7 rating.[1] McCown showed higher efficiency in relief roles, such as his 2015 stint with the New Orleans Saints (82.1 completion percentage on 39 attempts for 335 yards and 1 interception), compared to his earlier starts in 2004 (49.0% completion and 52.6 rating over 98 attempts).[1]| Year | Team | G | GS | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | CLE | 5 | 4 | 48 | 98 | 49.0 | 608 | 4 | 7 | 52.6 |
| 2007 | TB | 5 | 3 | 94 | 139 | 67.6 | 1009 | 5 | 3 | 91.7 |
| 2008 | TB | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 |
| 2009 | JAX | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 33.3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 42.4 |
| 2010 | JAX | 1 | 0 | 11 | 19 | 57.9 | 120 | 0 | 0 | 76.6 |
| 2011 | JAX | 4 | 2 | 30 | 56 | 53.6 | 296 | 0 | 4 | 39.0 |
| 2012 | ATL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2013 | NO | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 |
| 2014 | NO | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | NO | 8 | 1 | 32 | 39 | 82.1 | 335 | 0 | 1 | 91.8 |
| Career | 62 | 10 | 216 | 356 | 60.7 | 2,370 | 9 | 15 | 67.7 |
Rushing statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Luke McCown demonstrated limited but occasional mobility as a quarterback, accumulating 177 rushing yards on 34 attempts with no touchdowns over 35 games played.[1] His rushing output was primarily incidental, stemming from scrambles and designed keepers rather than a dual-threat emphasis in his offenses.[1] The following table summarizes McCown's year-by-year rushing statistics:| Year | Team | Games | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Longest Rush |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | CLE | 5 | 6 | 25 | 0 | 11 |
| 2007 | TAM | 5 | 12 | 117 | 0 | 31 |
| 2008 | TAM | 2 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 12 |
| 2010 | JAX | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2011 | JAX | 4 | 7 | 23 | 0 | 9 |
| 2012 | ATL | 2 | 2 | -3 | 0 | -1 |
| 2013 | NO | 16 | 3 | -4 | 0 | -1 |
| Career | - | 35 | 34 | 177 | 0 | 31 |