FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2018, file photo, New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown (15) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, in East Rutherford, N.J. McCown has announced he is retiring from playing football after an NFL career that spanned 16 NFL seasons and included stints with 10 teams. McCown, who turns 40 on July 4, writes in a piece for The Players' Tribune on Monday, June 17, 2019, that he will be helping coach his two sons — also quarterbacks — in high school this year.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

NEW YORK — Quarterback Josh McCown has announced he is retiring from playing football after an NFL career that spanned 16 NFL seasons and included stints with 10 teams.

McCown, who turns 40 on July 4, writes in a piece for The Players’ Tribune on Monday that he will be helping coach his two sons — also quarterbacks — in high school this year.

He played the last two seasons with the New York Jets, serving as the starter in 2017 and as a veteran backup to rookie Sam Darnold last year.

McCown issued a statement through agent Mike McCartney shortly before the NFL’s new business year began in March that his desire to continue playing remained strong, but he wanted to spend more time with his family to consider his options. McCown, an unrestricted free agent, made the Jets aware of his situation, and New York signed Trevor Siemian to serve as the backup to Darnold this season.

McCown finished with 17,707 career yards passing with 98 touchdowns and 82 interceptions. He was a third-round draft pick of Arizona in 2002 and also spent time with Detroit, Oakland, Miami, Carolina, San Francisco, Chicago, Tampa Bay and Cleveland before joining the Jets.