On August 17, the Eagles announced that they lured veteran quarterback Josh McCown out of retirement, albeit a brief one that lasted roughly two months, and a budding media career for a 17th NFL season.

"It was an easy sell, to be quite honest," McCown told Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro after putting pen to paper on the one-year deal.

The 40-year-old McCown's NFL journey started as a third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2002. He got a sip of the playoffs as a member of Carolina in 2008, his fourth NFL team, but the 12-4 Panthers were one-and-done in the Divisional Round, a 33-13 rout at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals. It left "a bad taste" for McCown, who recalled the moment this week as he prepared to back up Carson Wentz for Sunday's Wild Card showdown against Seattle.

It turns out McCown did more than provide support on the sideline.

As Wentz came to the sideline after the Eagles' second offensive possession in the first quarter, the franchise quarterback told McCown to "stay ready." Wentz was speared in the back of the head by Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney's helmet on the first play of the series. Wentz finished the drive, but was clearly not himself as he came to the bench. Wentz went into the medical tent to be evaluated for a concussion. He went into the locker room and did not return.

Just like that, it was McCown's show.

McCown played all of 15 snaps in the regular season, as Wentz suited up for all 16 games for the second time in his career. McCown had 104 regular-season games, 76 starts, and 2,633 pass attempts under his belt, but none in the postseason.

Backup quarterbacks have enjoyed success in Philadelphia. From A.J. Feeley to Jeff Garcia to Michael Vick to Nick Foles in just the past 20 years alone, backup quarterbacks have shined, delivering some of the franchise's biggest wins.

For all of McCown's regular-season experience, nothing could have prepared him for the agony that comes when the ending isn't a magical one.

As the final seconds ticked off of Sunday's 17-9 loss to the Seahawks at Lincoln Financial Field, McCown hugged tight end Zach Ertz with tears in his eyes. He staved off more tears in his postgame press conference until he thanked his family for its support throughout the years.

"My wife and family have moved around a lot and have been there for me. To go out there and get to play in a playoff game was special," McCown said. "I can't thank them enough for their support. It was a heck of a ride. I left it all out there, I know that much. It is different playing at 40. Your body talks to you a lot. I'll reflect on that later, but it was fun to be out there for sure."

McCown did all he could for an offense that was already without two Pro Bowl offensive linemen (guard Brandon Brooks and tackle Lane Johnson), the three starting wide receivers from Week 1, and – for all intents and purposes – the starting running back to open the season in Jordan Howard, who did not touch the ball once in his two games back from a shoulder injury.

McCown was 18-of-24 for 174 yards for a 94.8 passer rating. He was sacked six times, but did use his legs to gain 23 yards. Unfortunately, the offense, while it was able to move the ball, bogged down in the red zone where the Eagles were 0-for-3. The Eagles were 3-of-11 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth down.

Still, the Eagles had fourth-and-7 from the Seattle 10-yard line with two minutes remaining in the game. McCown changed the play at the line of scrimmage, but not everyone got the call. It never stood a chance. McCown was sacked by Clowney, ironically enough, and the Seahawks ran out the clock.

"There's a lot that goes into this," McCown said. "Everybody that sets foot into (the NovaCare Complex) puts a lot into getting this thing done. When you put everything into trying to win that game, and it doesn't get done, it's just painful. It hurts.