(SportsRadio 610) -- It’s surreal for Texas native Josh McCown to be closer to home.
The Texan signed the 41-year-old veteran last week to be a backup quarterback, and presumably provide a wealth of knowledge to the offense.
But McCown, whose NFL career spans the exact timeline of the Texans franchise, had his eyes on Houston going all the way back to 2002.
Eighteen years later, McCown practiced with the Texans for the first time Friday after clearing COVID-19 protocols. He’d previously been an emergency quarterback on the Eagles’ practice squad.
“I was processing that this morning coming in. For me, it’s really special,” McCown said Friday during a virtual press conference. “When I was coming out in ‘02, the franchise was just starting up and drafted David (Carr), there was a part of me -- it was kind of a forgone conclusion David was going to get drafted -- but there was a part of me, played down the road at Sam Houston (State), I was just like hoping maybe something worked out where I ended up here.
“So a little bit surreal in that regard. Had some close opportunities throughout the journey … so to be home, to be able to do this at home is special. So I’m very thankful.”
McCown is the third-string quarterback, but it’s well-known he has future coaching aspirations.
It’s also well-known the Texans have a head coaching vacancy, and the idea of McCown getting an early audition to be part of the next coaching staff came up when he spoke with media members Friday.
McCown acknowledged his desire to coach eventually, but said he would cross that bridge when the time comes.
McCown’s link to the Texans? Interim general manager Jack Easterby, who is also the executive vice president of football operations.
Their conversations prior to McCown signing were about what the team has to offer, why it would be a good fit, and adding experience to the quarterback room.
For McCown, it was about being closer to home.
McCown and Easterby had already known each other through mutual friends and said he has a ton of respect for his leadership and the kind of man he is.
“The conversations with Jack were just trying to get to understand where this team was at, where it was headed, and learning a little bit about Deshaun,” McCown said. “So, that was the main thing, and how best for me to help serve. That’s the key when you’re making a decision like that. What can we do, where do you see my role, how can I help be a part of it?
“I think he’s got a vision for how he wants an organization to go and that was the conversation we had, what he saw as the direction he wanted to take this thing. And so I’m just thankful to be a part of it.”
McCown also offered a scouting report on Watson, who is playing the best football of his NFL career.
“I continue to see him processing faster and faster, playing fast and playing from the pocket and getting the ball out of his hand,” McCown said of Watson. “Then he’s got a unique ability to make plays from outside the pocket. And his discernment in how he does that I think gets better every snap he takes and that’s an encouraging thing for the Texans. To me, it’s just whatever I can do to help, but he’s playing at a very high level. I think that’s reflective of the effort the coaches have put in -- Coach (Tim) Kelly (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach), coach (T.J.) Yates (assistant quarterbacks coach) -- the way they’re working with him. It’s really just keeping him there but continuing to chase that next level.
“I think really, it’s kind of scary, but he’s kind of scratching the surface of how good he really can be. I think that’s going to be fun and beneficial for the Texans moving forward. I’m just glad to be a part of it and just want to help however I can.”
If McCown ends up playing, it means Watson is unavailable, or a game is no longer competitive. But expect him to be coaching the entire time.