Gerald McCoy‘s time in Buccaneers limbo will end with a release. The nine-year veteran has been informed he will be cut soon, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). The Bucs announced the release.
This has been a consideration for a while, but the team has finally decided on a course of action. The Bucs did not want to pay McCoy his $13MM 2019 salary, per Stroud, and did not find a trade partner. Trade talks commenced for two months, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The team did not ask McCoy to take a pay cut.
McCoy will become one of the most attractive free agents on the market. Although, being released in mid-May does not do the longtime Bucs stalwart any favors. He will join fellow 2010 top-five defensive tackle pick Ndamukong Suh as a top-caliber free agent.
Though McCoy failed to make the Pro Bowl last season — his first such omission since 2011 — he still recorded six sacks and rated as one of Pro Football Focus’ upper-echelon interior defenders. McCoy also has avoided serious injuries, the six-time Pro Bowler having played in at least 14 games in each of the past seven seasons.
The signing bonus-averse Bucs will create $13MM in cap space; McCoy had three years remaining on a seven-year, $95.2MM contract. The Bucs currently possess barely $1MM and needed to make a move in order to finish up signing draft picks.
Of course, a Tampa Bay defense that was one of the NFL’s worst in 2018 now will be without its top two pass rushers. Jason Pierre-Paul will be out for a while after sustaining a neck injury in a recent car accident, and McCoy (54.5 career sacks; at least six in six straight seasons) will almost certainly sign elsewhere soon in advance of his age-31 season.
The Bucs used a 2018 first-round pick on Vita Vea and are moving to a 3-4 look after using a 4-3 scheme throughout McCoy’s career. Still, this now profiles as one of the NFL’s most pass rush-needy teams.
Dumb. Should at least give him a chance with the new staff. Bet he will get like 9 sacks with another team
Harsh market for DTs.. Suh still out there.
If these guys want to continue their careers it gotta be for a lot less money than they expect.
Also just realized these guys went #2 and #3 in the same draft class..
Sam Badford went #1 lol
Please come (& pats go after him) to NE
Pats re-signed Danny Shelton today. Not sure how interested they would be in McCoy?
Shelton and McCoy aren’t the same player at all, also Shelton’s deal probably doesn’t have a lot of guarantees. The Shelton signing won’t stop Bill from signing McCoy if he wants him.
Saints…
Lions
Yup beef up that line. How much cap space does Detroit have left?
I hope the browns get him, but I think he’s going to be a Saint.
Saints got no money . I say browns , giants or cardinals
Browns have signed everyone else, let another team have a chance.
Why wouldn’t the Jets go after him?
Because they’re the Jets
Because they’re set at the defensive line.
Dallas
Nah his rap sheet’s not long enough. He wouldn’t get past the first interview.
That’s going to hurt Suh’s value.
Cmon seahawks we need it
whould look great with a horseshoe on his helmet
cowboys crawford will be suspended, cap room and if they sign dak and coop to extensions will free up a ton of money….great 3 technique with proven talent and not a distraction like suh
He’d be a great fit for the cap strapped Vikings.
They can’t afford him
Eagles. They love signing too many RBs and d linemen.
Detroits got money…that would be a great d line
Giants need pass rush.
This makes WAY too much sense for the Chargers…. so they won’t be signing him
Lol agreed but after losing Liguet this would be such an upgrade
Here comes Cleveland.
Bills Mafia
Broncos.. idk just saying a team since it looks like the cool thing to do.
Not hard to see him helping almost every team.
Word is he wants to be a Laker or a Knick
So, after reading the comments section, I can safely say that McCoy will sign anywhere but Tampa Bay.
Tampa just signed Suh to replace him..