Eagles quarterback Josh McCown’s half against Ravens was ‘probably good enough’ to sit against Jets

Nearly a year ago, Josh McCown was a New York Jets backup quarterback on the way to the preseason finale at Lincoln Financial Field when he learned he’d be playing that night.

There was only one problem: He didn’t bring his game shoes.

“We traded Teddy Bridgewater [to the Saints] on the way to the game,” McCown, now the Eagles’ backup, said after Tuesday’s practice. “I had to snag a pair of shoes and get myself ready for a few series. ... Anything can happen on that fourth game.”

He has directed traffic in a game situation for only two quarters this preseason, but Eagles coach Doug Pederson might be telling McCown to leave his playing shoes at home once again for Thursday night’s game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

The 40-year-old who came out of retirement Aug. 17 to back up Carson Wentz threw two touchdown passes against the Baltimore Ravens last week. Playing after just three practices, McCown shook off the rust quickly and presumably showed enough to keep him in the No. 2 spot to start the season, at least until quarterback Nate Sudfeld heals from a broken left wrist.

So don’t hold your breath waiting for him to take the field Thursday.

“Obviously you would love to see more," Pederson said before practice. “We are down to the wire right here, and we’re still evaluating every position. It’s hard. There’s a fine line there. But, obviously, what he did last week was good, and probably good enough. So, we’ll see.”

While McCown has been with the team for less than two weeks, he said he has developing a basic understanding of the playbook, and feels comfortable going into Week 1 with or without some snaps Thursday.

“I feel good. It’s still a work in progress, learning and trying to grasp everything,” he said. “I feel like I have a good foundation, but every week will be new and that’s what’s exciting about attacking an opponent.”

If McCown sits, the Eagles will go into the game with Cody Kessler and fifth-round draft pick Clayton Thorson under center. Thorson rebounded after a dreadful start to the preseason against the Tennessee Titans, in which he went 2-for-9 for 7 yards and threw one interception.

If the Eagles decide to keep four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, they could keep Thorson as a developmental QB, but they could also cut him, hope he clears waivers, and then add him to the practice squad.

Pederson can relate to the quarterbacks on the roster bubble. In 1995, he was beaten out for the Miami Dolphins’ third and final QB spot by Dan McGwire, brother of baseball star Mark McGwire.

“I came into training camp, I felt like I had outperformed him and outplayed him, I was the fourth guy on the roster, and I ended up getting released.” Pederson said. "You’re disappointed; you’re a little bitter and kind of upset about it. But it was kind of a blessing in disguise because I later signed in Green Bay that year and spent eight years in Green Bay. This is not the end of the road for these players.”

Thorson has been getting some advice from both McCown and Pederson on how to handle the final game before cuts.

“[Pederson] just said, ‘When you’re out there, just control what you can and go play,’ and that’s all I’ve been trying to do this whole time,” Thorson said.

McCown had a similar message for the rookie as well as for Kessler.

“You go out there and you fight it out. You play it as best you can every snap, just enjoying being out there and playing,” he said. “You never know how this game’s going to work out, so you want to make sure every time you’re on the field that you’re enjoying yourself.”