Josh McCown started a few games during the 2018 season, but his biggest job last year was mentoring Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold.

McCown won’t be back in that role this year. He’s retired from the NFL and jokes that will lead to Darnold getting “lost on the way to the dry cleaners” as he navigates life without McCown by his side in 2019. Because the two were more than teammates. They were friends. Friends who spent a lot of time at Chipotle.

They devoured a lot of burritos last season, but what Darnold learned about life on the gridiron will carry over into his second season. McCown said he is confident Darnold will succeed without him by his side.

Head coach Adam Gase, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and backup Trevor Siemian will provide Darnold with plenty of support, McCown said, although he also noted that he’s willing to pitch in should Darnold need another voice.

“I tried to empty the clip with him and give him everything I could,” McCown said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. “He’ll be just fine. Adam and Dowell will do a great job with him, and Trevor has played a lot of football. It’s a good room. Those guys will support him. I root for those guys, and I want to see Sam have a lot of success. Now he has to make it happen. If he needs me, I’m only a phone call away.”

McCown said that playing “fast and smart on early downs” will help Darnold improve in year 2. He'll get plenty of chances to study that growth as he takes a new job at ESPN.