Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Shockingly Retires From NFL

It’s the end of an era for a fan-favorite National Football League signal caller. Free agent quarterback Colt McCoy, who last played for the Arizona Cardinals during the 2022 season, has called it a career. He will now be an analyst for NBC Sports’ Big Ten College Football coverage.

McCoy was a star at Texas University where he was the team’s starter for four years between 2006-2009. Being recognized as Team MVP all four years, McCoy’s #12 was retired following his collegiate career. He was drafted in the third round by the Cleveland Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft.

McCoy Had High Expectations Following Successful College Career

Originally expected to sit his rookie season, McCoy played eight games following injuries to both quarterbacks ahead of him. He struggled going 2-6 with six touchdown passes compared to nine interceptions.

High expectations in 2011 led to massive disappointment, as McCoy’s first season as a full-time starter led to a poor 4-12 record. His offense averaged only 13.6 points per game compared to the Browns top-five defense, which kept them in most games.

After Cleveland drafted quarterback Brandon Weeden in the first round in 2012, Colt McCoy was demoted to backup. Following the season, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers where he would not start a game. McCoy would go on to sign with the Washington Redskins where he would play for the next six seasons.

McCoy Spent Majority Of His Career As NFL Backup

Despite being a backup for Washington, McCoy started games in place of Kirk Cousins in 2014 and Alex Smith in 2018. He finished with 1,679 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions in six starts in Washington with a 1-5 record.

McCoy backed up Daniel Jones and the New York Giants in 2019 and spent his last two years with the Arizona Cardinals behind Kyler Murray in 2021 and 2022. In eight combined starts with New York and Arizona, McCoy had a 4-4 record with over 1,800 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions.

While his career did not play out as he hoped, McCoy did become a fan favorite during his NFL career. Fans across the NFL wish him the best of luck in retirement, and look forward to seeing him in the studio this fall.