Jets QB Josh McCown is officially hanging up his cleats, as he announced his retirement after 16 NFL seasons.

Penning his retirement in a Players' Tribune article, McCown reflected on "one heck of a journey" that he has gone through in his NFL career.

While some have expressed their belief that McCown would be a great coach, he will join ESPN as an NFL analyst beginning Wednesday.

McCown played for 10 different NFL teams, starting with the Cardinals after being drafted in the third round out of SMU in 2002, and ending with the Jets over these past two seasons. He had stints with the Browns, Bucs, Bears, Raiders, Panthers, Lions, Dolphins and 49ers, as well as a short stop with the Hartford Colonials in the UFL.

"If you would have told me back then that I would go on to play for 10 different NFL teams over the next 17 years, I would have said, 'Shoot, 17 Years? I'll take it,' McCown said when recalling his rookie minicamp with Arizona.

"But 10 different teams? No way..."

The Jacksonville, Texas, native thanked many, including his wife Natalie, whom he referred to as "Superwoman" for holding down the fort at home all these years. He also made sure to acknowledge Matt Turner, his high school quarterbacks coach, who was very tough on him and made sure to remind him that the little things like footwork, ball security, and other aspects of the hardest position in sports matters.

With the Jets specifically, McCown came over to New York after two seasons with the Browns. He had a resurgence at age 38, going 5-8 with 2,929 yards, 18 touchdowns to nine interceptions, and a career-best 67.3 completion percentage. Injury would end that season short, but it was one that came as a pleasant surprise for the Jets.

Last season, the reins were passed over to the No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold, and McCown made it a point to take him under his wing to show him the ropes. McCown might have been the journeyman that knew what it took to win in the NFL, but he was just as excited to mentor and groom Darnold in his first season.

Over his lengthy career, McCown has thrown for over 17,000 yards and collected 98 touchdowns with a 60.2 completion percentage in 99 career games.

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