TAMPA, FL – DEC 30: Gerald McCoy (93) of the Bucs rushes the passer during the regular season game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 30, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After spending nine seasons chasing down NFC South quarterbacks, nothing will change for defensive tackle Gerald McCoy after choosing the Carolina Panthers.
Roughly 24 hours ago, it was reported that free-agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy appeared to be headed to one of three places. Apparently that decision has been made, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The third overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft will now be teammates with the first overall selection in 2011. And Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton actually had a big influence on the team adding the one-time member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The six-time Pro Bowler and his 54.5 career sacks had made stops to see the Panthers, as well as the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
And it was recently suggested that the 31-year-old pro’s best option may be the up-and-coming Browns considering the team’s current salary cap situation.
Of course, he would also be joining an organization that currently owns the NFL’s longest playoff drought, having not been to the postseason since 2002. Ironically enough, McCoy’s former team -the Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t reached the playoffs since ’07, second only to Cleveland.
As the legendary Steve Martin said many years ago…”Well, excuuuuuuuuse meeeee.” Apparently the Panthers found the money to satisfy McCoy, who was cut loose by the Bucs not long ago because of his large salary.
Again, via Schefter, McCoy will ink a one-year contract that could be worth up to $10.25 million. It includes a $4 million signing bonus. It was reported that the release of the standout defensive tackle back in late May saved the Buccaneers $13 million in terms of the salary cap (via Spotrac).
The Carolina defense struggled mightily throughout 2018 and was a one reason Ron Rivera’s club failed to reach the playoffs after a 6-2 start.
The Panthers suffered through a seven-game losing streak that once again prevented the franchise from posting a second straight winning season. Will the arrival of McCoy and 2019 first-round pick Brian Burns bolster this unit? The proof will come in September.