Colt McCoy, the longtime NFL backup quarterback, is officially trading in his helmet for a headset as he transitions from the field to the broadcast booth. After a 14-season career that saw him suit up for multiple franchises, McCoy, 37, has announced his retirement from professional football. His next chapter will be with NBC Sports, where he has signed on as a football analyst.
“Thank you, football,” McCoy shared on X (formerly Twitter). “Excited for the next chapter.”
In his new role, McCoy will be a key figure in NBC Sports’ Big Ten football coverage. He’s set to serve as an analyst and will also appear on the Big Ten College Countdown studio show, bringing his extensive knowledge and experience from the gridiron to television audiences.
Before his NFL career, McCoy was a standout at the University of Texas, where he made a name for himself as one of the most successful quarterbacks in college football history. A four-year starter for the Longhorns, McCoy set numerous records and ended his collegiate career as the winningest quarterback in NCAA Division I history, with 45 victories.
His remarkable tenure at Texas included leading the team to an undefeated 12-0 regular season, a Big 12 championship, and a berth in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. McCoy was also a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, further solidifying his legacy as one of college football’s all-time greats.
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After being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2010, McCoy’s NFL journey took him to several teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins), New York Giants, and most recently, the Arizona Cardinals. While he may not have been a perennial starter, McCoy was known for his reliability and leadership as a backup quarterback, always ready to step in and perform when needed.
Reflecting on his football journey, McCoy expressed his deep connection to the game in The Colt McCoy Story. “Football is what I’ve done for 37 years,” he shared. “At three-years-old, I was the waterboy on my dad’s football team, and I’ve been around the game every day since.”
McCoy will make his broadcasting debut on Saturday, September 7, just in time for the highly anticipated Colorado-Nebraska game. As he steps into this new role, McCoy brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game, qualities that will undoubtedly enhance his contributions as an analyst.
Looking back on his playing days, McCoy appears content with his career and the effort he put into it. “I’ll never doubt that I didn’t give my best foot forward, that I didn’t work harder,” he reflected. “I couldn’t watch more tape, I couldn’t do more.”
As McCoy moves on from playing football, he leaves with a sense of fulfillment. “As I kind of move on from the game, I gave it all I had,” he concluded.
Now, as McCoy embarks on his broadcasting career, fans can look forward to hearing his insights and analysis, rooted in the years of dedication and passion he brought to the field. His journey continues, but this time, it’s from the other side of the camera.
