Eagles sign Josh McCown ... to the practice squad!

Hey, here’s something cool and unexpected!

The Philadelphia Eagles are signing Josh McCown to their practice squad, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter.

McCown normally wouldn’t be anywhere close to being practice squad eligible but the NFL changed the rules this year to where up to six players with unlimited experience can be added. This signing makes McCown, who turned 41 in July, the oldest practice squad player in NFL history.

Schefter notes that McCown will not actually practice with the Eagles. Instead, he’ll remain home with his family in Texas and serve as Philadelphia’s emergency quarterback. So, the Eagles are keeping a quarterback in quarantine after all.

It’s great to see that McCown will continue to have a role with the Eagles. He seemed to have a real positive influence on Carson Wentz and, really, the team in general, as documented in Amazon’s All Or Nothing series.

The Eagles reportedly discussed a coaching role with McCown after the 2020 season but he wasn’t ready to officially retire from playing. Having McCown on the practice squad seems like a compromise where McCown still has a shot to play while also contributing in some kind of coaching capacity. McCown’s veteran presence — although only virtual — could prove to be especially valuable for rookie Jalen Hurts.

The Eagles are obviously carrying three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster in Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld, and Jalen Hurts. McCown will be available to be promoted if the Eagles are hit hard by injuries and/or a COVID-19 outbreak in the QB room.

Nice creative move by the Eagles.