Cade McNown
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Cade McNown Career Timeline
HEYTC AI2004 1
Career ends in CFL
McNown attempted a comeback with the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL but was released in training camp, effectively ending his professional football career at age 26.
2003 1
Brief stint with 49ers
McNown joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2003, appearing in one game with limited action before being released after one season.
2002 1
Signed and released by Dolphins
McNown signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2002 as a backup but was released before the season after one year on the roster without playing a game.
2001 1
Released by Bears
After two seasons (1999-2000) with the Bears where he appeared in 21 games, McNown was waived by the team in June 2001 due to poor performance and locker room issues.
2000 1
Named Bears starting QB
McNown started 15 games for the Bears in 2000, throwing for 2,509 yards, 16 TDs, and 19 INTs amid high expectations but inconsistent performance.
1999 2
Signed rookie contract with Bears
McNown signed a 6-year, $20.4 million rookie contract with the Chicago Bears following his draft selection.
Drafted by Bears
Cade McNown was the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears out of UCLA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cade McNown
How does Caleb Williams compare to Cade McNown?
McNown was a record-shattering college phenom who flamed out in the NFL—Caleb Williams is the inverse. McNown's 1998 season at UCLA was legendary: Heisman finalist, Johnny Unitas Award winner, 3,470 passing yards. But he managed just 16 TDs in two Bears seasons as a 12th overall pick. Williams arrived as a Heisman winner with NFL-ready tools. McNown's college dominance makes the pro disappointment sharper; Williams has the chance to write a completely different story.
Is Cade McNown in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
No, McNown isn't in Canton. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020 as UCLA's 13th Hall of Famer, but his two-year Bears tenure—3,111 passing yards, 16 TDs—didn't generate the staying power for professional enshrinement. College immortality doesn't always translate to the NFL's toughest stage.
What is Cade McNown doing now in 2026?
The search results don't contain current information about McNown's 2026 activities, so I can't definitively answer this without speculation. He's been out of football for over two decades, but whether he's involved in broadcasting, business, or other ventures isn't documented in these sources.
How would Cade McNown perform in today's NFL?
McNown's arm talent and mobility would benefit from today's pass-happy rules, but his college success didn't translate to the NFL even in the late '90s. Modern defenses are more sophisticated, and the margin for error smaller. His accuracy issues and decision-making concerns that plagued his Bears years would likely persist—elite college QBs don't automatically thrive when the competition tightens.
How does Cade McNown compare to Billy Wade?
Wade dominated McNown historically. Wade threw for 33.84 TDs per season as a Bear; McNown managed just 8 per season across two years. Wade was a three-time Pro Bowler and a franchise cornerstone. McNown's UCLA legend never materialized in Chicago—he's the cautionary tale, Wade the standard-setter.