New Tampa Bay coach Lovie Smith may not let free-agent quarterback Josh McCown leave the Buccaneers without a contract, but if he is able to resist his former head coach at Chicago, he’ll be headed for Houston and a visit with the Texans.

McCown also has a visit lined up with the New York Jets. Other teams, including the Bears, are interested in him. Chicago, where McCown has played the last three years, wants to re-sign him.

McCown turns 35 before training camp. He and Michael Vick are the hottest quarterbacks in an extremely weak market.

McCown, who’s spent time with six NFL teams during a journeyman career, took advantage of Jay Cutler’s injury last season to compile his best numbers. He was 149-of-224 (66.5) for 1,829 yards and 13 touchdowns. He threw only one interception.

The Texans have three quarterbacks on their roster – Matt Schaub, T.J. Yates and Case Keenum. They haven’t made a move with Schaub and may not for a while.

After waiving tight end Owen Daniels and cornerback Brice McCain, the Texans cleared an additional $5.4 million in salary cap space. They’re about $14.6 million under the cap.