2 former Tampa Bay Buccaneers named to ESPN’s all-retirement team

Josh McCown and Alterraun Verner hung up the cleats after long careers, including time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; they made ESPN’s all-retirement team.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently released an article, constructing a team out of all of the players who retired after the 2018 season. Of course former New England Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski headlined the list, but two former members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the cut as well.

Former quarterback Josh McCown and former cornerback Alterraun Verner cracked this fantasy team made of over-the-hill talents now riding out into the sunset. McCown retired after a full season backing up Sam Darnold in 2018, while Verner did not play last season and decided to hang up the cleats.

McCown was signed by the Buccaneers back in 2014, where he started one season before the Jameis Winston era began. Tampa Bay was the seventh out of nine stops that McCown made during his 16 year career; he also played for the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and New York Jets.

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During his one year with the Buccaneers, McCown started 11 games, unfortunately, finishing with a record of 1-10 for the pewter and red. He completed 56 percent of his passes for over 2,200 yards with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Verner also had an up-and-down career, and again unfortunate for the Buccaneers, he saw a decline while wearing their chrome helmets. He also played for the Tennessee Titans and most recently for the Miami Dolphins in his career, and last saw the field in 2017.

"“Verner announced his retirement in March after 72 career starts over eight seasons… he made the Pro Bowl in 2013 with a career-high five interceptions. That play earned Verner a four-year, $25.75 million deal in Tampa, where he was benched in year 2” (Fowler via ESPN)."

During his time in Tampa Bay, Verner tallied four total interceptions in three years, he defended an additional 20 passes in that time span as well. Coming off of a season with five interceptions with the Titans before signing, the Bucs had higher hopes for a guy who was just 26 years old when he signed.

McCown and Verner did not have a very memorable experience with the Buccaneers, but now can hang their heads high that they completed an NFL career. ESPN gave them some love and recognition for their service in the league as well.