Josh McCown signs with Bucs; will have chance to start

Josh McCown signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday. The deal is reportedly worth a total of $10 million and includes playing time incentives as well as a $3 million incentive for making the playoffs.

With Greg Schiano having been fired and Lovie Smith now in charge, McCown should be given a legitimate opportunity to earn the starting job in training camp. Former NC State quarterback Mike Glennon was clearly Schiano’s guy and played well at times, but Smith has no loyalty to him and will likely lean toward the veteran if the competition is close.

McCown proved last season that he is more than capable of being an effective starter in the NFL when Jay Cutler missed several games with injuries. The 34-year-old veteran appeared in eight games for the Chicago Bears and threw 13 touchdowns and only one interception. Some will credit Marc Trestman’s offense for McCown’s success, but he protected the ball better than Cutler and was able to spread it out more. His presence helped Alshon Jeffery break out as a star.

The move makes a lot of sense for both sides.