CHARLOTTE – The Panthers continued building their staff Friday with the addition of Josh McCown, who agreed to terms to become quarterbacks coach under head coach Frank Reich.
McCown, 43, was a journeyman quarterback in the NFL from 2002-20, playing for 12 teams. This season, he'll be taking on his first coaching role with the Panthers.
Here are five fast facts to know about McCown:
1. Past coaching interest: McCown was offered a role on the Eagles' coaching staff after playing the 2019 season in a backup role for Carson Wentz. McCown's stint in Philadelphia included his postseason debut in a playoff loss to the Seahawks after Wentz went down with an injury.
McCown declined the Eagles' offer to join the staff to continue playing and signed to their practice squad for 2020.
Later that season, McCown signed with the Texans.
He interviewed for Houston's head coaching position ahead of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but the Texans went with David Culley and Lovie Smith instead.
2. A long NFL career: McCown's lengthy professional career began with a third-round selection by the Cardinals in the 2002 NFL Draft, playing with them for four seasons.
He also had stops with Detroit (2006), Oakland (2007), Miami (2008), Carolina (2008-09), San Francisco (2011), Chicago (2011-13), Tampa Bay (2014), Cleveland (2015-16), the New York Jets (2017-18), Philadelphia (2019-20), and Houston (2020).
Between NFL stints, McCown played for the United Football League's Hartford Colonials in 2010.
He passed for 17,731 yards in his NFL career with 98 touchdowns and 82 interceptions, a 60.2 completion percentage, and a 79.7 passer rating.
3. Panthers connection: McCown spent two seasons with the Panthers from 2008-09 under head coach John Fox.
He served as Jake Delhomme's backup throughout 2008 and played in two games.
McCown was named Delhomme's backup again for the 2009 season, beating out Matt Moore for the spot, and came in for Delhomme in the second half of Carolina's Week 1 game against the Eagles after Delhomme caused five turnovers.
McCown sprained his left knee and left foot on the same play in the fourth quarter of an eventual loss and ended up on injured reserve the next day, ending his season.
After the season, he became a free agent and went on to the UFL for a year before returning to the NFL with the Bears in 2011. He recorded his best NFL season in 2013 with Chicago, appearing in eight games for an injured Jay Cutler and completing 67 percent of his passes.
4. Overlap with Sam Darnold: During his time with the Jets, McCown competed with a then-rookie Darnold for the quarterback position in 2018 after starting in 13 games for New York in 2017. He served as Darnold's backup throughout 2018, coming in for three games while Darnold recovered from a right foot injury. Darnold returned in Week 14 of the season and assumed duties for the rest of the season.
5. Stint with ESPN: McCown briefly retired from the NFL after the 2018 season and joined ESPN as a studio analyst, appearing on NFL Live, among other programs.
He returned to the league in August 2019, signing with Philadelphia after backup quarterbacks Nate Sudfeld and Cody Kessler were injured.
McCown began his NFL career in 2002 with the Cardinals, seeing action for nine teams over 16 seasons, including with the Panthers in 2008-09.
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Josh McCown #12 of the Carolina Panthers releases this pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Josh McCown #12 of the Carolina Panthers gets pressured by Brodrick Bunkley #97 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFL season opener at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Josh McCown #12 of the Carolina Panthers drops back to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank Of America Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown works out prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown, right, prepares to launch a long pass to wide receiver Robby Anderson as they connect for a 54-yard touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) defends on the play. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown passes against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown passes against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown signs an autograph prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Josh McCown plays during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Josh McCown (18) in action during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. Seattle won 17-9. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2018, file photo, New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown (15) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, in East Rutherford, N.J. McCown has announced he is retiring from playing football after an NFL career that spanned 16 NFL seasons and included stints with 10 teams. McCown, who turns 40 on July 4, writes in a piece for The Players' Tribune on Monday, June 17, 2019, that he will be helping coach his two sons â€" also quarterbacks â€" in high school this year.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Josh McCown (18) following an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. Seattle won 17-9. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown (15) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Josh McCown warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
New York Jets quarterbacks Josh McCown, left, and Sam Darnold walk onto the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown looks to pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Cleveland. The Giants won 27-13. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown passes in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2014, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown throws during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. The Browns have agreed to terms with veteran quarterback McCown on a contract. McCown, who went 1-10 as Tampa Bay's starter last season, reached agreement with Cleveland on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. The 35-year-old had also been in contract talks with the Buffalo Bills. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2014, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (12) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. A person familiar with the visit says free agent quarterback Josh McCown is meeting for a second day with the QB-deficient Browns. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, because the team is not revealing plans during its quarterback search. McCown was released last week by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2014, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown looks down his line during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. The Buccaneers have terminated the contract of McCown, a move Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, that clears salary cap space for free agency. The 35-year-old McCown went 1-10 as a starter and had the second-lowest passer rating in the NFL after signing a two-year, $10 million contract with the Bucs last winter. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown (12) fires a pass against the Dallas Cowboysduring the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown (12) passes against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown (12) passes against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Chicago Bears' Josh McCown passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown (12) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Cleveland. Chicago won 38-31. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown (12) talks to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) after their NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Chicago. The Bears won 45-28. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) and quarterback Josh McCown (12) celebrate after making a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown (12) prepares to pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown, right, is knocked out of bounds by Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis during the second quarter Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Roy Dabner)
Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Arrington (28) greets former teammate and Detroit Lions' Josh McCown after their football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 17-10.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown, left, celebrates his touchdown pass to teammate Larry Fitzgerald in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, in Tempe, Ariz. The Cardinals won, 20-10. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Arizona Cardinals back-up quarterbacks John Navarre, Josh McCown and Chris Lewis, from left, drop back in unison while throwing passes during minicamp Monday, June 13, 2005, at the team's training facility in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown looks to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter of their football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Cardinals won, 27-21. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
