After 13 seasons in the NFL, including six with the Washington Commanders, quarterback Colt McCoy is officially retiring and transitioning into a new chapter of his career as a broadcaster. McCoy, who announced his retirement on August 19 via a YouTube video, will be joining NBC Sports as an analyst for Big Ten Conference football coverage.
“Football’s been what I’ve done for 37 years. I gave it all I had,” McCoy shared in his video announcement.
During his time in the NFL, McCoy played for five different teams: the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, and most recently, the Arizona Cardinals. While his career as a starter was modest—he played in 12 games for the Commanders, posting a 1-6 record—McCoy was widely respected as a reliable backup quarterback.
McCoy has been preparing for this transition into broadcasting, having served as a color commentator for NBC’s USFL games in 2023. He is set to make his college football debut as an analyst on September 7, covering a high-profile matchup between Colorado and Nebraska.
“College Football has always held a special place in my heart,” McCoy said in a press release from NBC Sports. “With the expansion of the Big Ten and new era of College Football, it is the perfect time to join NBC Sports.”
A Legendary College Career
While McCoy enjoyed a lengthy NFL career, he is perhaps best remembered for his time at the University of Texas from 2005 to 2009. McCoy was a redshirt freshman on Texas’ 2005 BCS national championship team and went on to become a four-year starter for the Longhorns. He set the NCAA Division I record for career wins by a quarterback (45), was the only player in school history to win or share team MVP honors for four consecutive years, and was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist. McCoy also won the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, and was named the Walter Camp Player of the Year twice.
His college career culminated in leading Texas to the BCS National Championship Game in 2009, where he famously suffered a shoulder injury early in the game against Alabama, sidelining him for the remainder of the contest.
McCoy was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round (85th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
A Journeyman’s Career with a Lucrative Finish
Over his 13 NFL seasons, McCoy played in 56 games and started 36, finishing with 7,975 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and 32 interceptions. He also added 582 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. While he never secured a long-term starting role, McCoy’s consistency and reliability as a backup made him a valuable asset across the league.
During his time with Washington, McCoy was the primary backup to both Kirk Cousins and Alex Smith. His best season as a starter came in 2011 with the Browns, when he started 13 games and posted a 4-9 record.
Financially, McCoy’s career was quite successful. He earned a total of $26.4 million in career earnings, making over $3 million in a single season on four occasions. His highest single-season earnings came in 2022 with the Cardinals, where he made $3.75 million.
As McCoy shifts from the field to the broadcast booth, his deep knowledge of the game and extensive experience will undoubtedly make him a valuable addition to NBC Sports’ college football coverage.
