TAMPA, Fla. — After unsuccessful attempts to trade him, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have “mutually parted ways” with defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the team said in a statement.
A six-time Pro Bowler and arguably the Bucs’ most visible player over the past nine seasons on and off the field, McCoy has been a no-show for the Bucs’ offseason program that began last month. Although attendance for the offseason program has always been optional, McCoy, who was the third-overall draft pick in 2010 and has always been a fixture at these workouts.
McCoy’s departure was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
The source of contention was McCoy’s $13 million salary in 2019, none of which was guaranteed. He had three years currently remaining on his deal, which would have kept him with the team through 2021.
The move was financially motivated. The Bucs had less than $2 million in salary-cap space and still needed to sign first-round draft pick Devin White.
McCoy had grown frustrated with his status in limbo and the fact that the team would not commit to him this offseason, while the Bucs didn’t believe his level of production was worth the cost.
Coach Bruce Arians said at NFL owners meetings, “He’s not as disruptive as he was four years ago, but he’s still a good player.”
McCoy let out some of that frustration in an Instagram post earlier this month when he said, “All-Pro on and off the field. Wanna question me? The heck? Is he gonna be ready? Do he love football? What?! Y’all crazy. Lost y’all mind. I work. Don’t you ever question me!”