Luke McCown may still be in the running for the starting quarterback job in Tampa, but that doesn’t mean his roster spot is secure.
NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora writes that that some within the Bucs organization believe they should “cut their losses” with McCown if he loses the quarterback competition to Byron Leftwich at the end of this week, as expected.
On one level, the news is surprising because the Bucs handed McCown a $2.5 million signing bonus early this offseason.
On the other hand, it was McCown’s early practice performance that likely necessitated the signing of Leftwich in the first place. Perhaps he hasn’t taken to new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski’s system.
La Canfora writes that McCown’s job is largely in jeopardy due to the impressive camp of Josh Johnson, currently fourth on the depth chart. Johnson reportedly would have had a good chance to start had Jon Gruden stayed, but McCown is taking up his practice snaps.
The Bucs don’t want to lose Johnson, but carrying four quarterbacks is a luxury most teams can’t afford. (Although it didn’t stop Gruden.)
It would be a risk for 2009 to roll with Leftwich, who is injury prone, and two inexperienced Joshes as reserves: Freeman and Johnson. Then again, this is a Bucs team looking towards the future.
And McCown doesn’t appear to be a big part of it.