Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle and six-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy has agreed to a contract with the Carolina Panthers, he told ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
McCoy is getting a one-year deal worth up to $10.25 million that includes a $4 million signing bonus, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
McCoy left Baltimore thinking he very well might sign there, sources told Schefter, but Carolina wowed him on his visit and quarterback Cam Newton helped recruit McCoy.
To cap it off, McCoy gets to stay in the NFC South and play against the Bucs, who released him and gave his No. 93 to Ndamukong Suh. Tampa Bay and McCoy “mutually parted ways” on May 20.
The Bucs’ third-overall draft pick in 2010, McCoy went on to become one of Tampa Bay’s most visible and well-liked players on and off the field. But dwindling salary cap space, a high-priced contract, and a shift from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles meant it was the right time to move on for the Bucs.
McCoy, who turned 31 in February, is still seen as a very productive player, recording 12 combined sacks over the last two seasons. His get-off is still regarded as one of the quickest in the NFL. He’s remained relatively healthy even during the latter part of his career, missing a total of eight games since 2012 after starting his NFL career tearing biceps tendons in both arms in 2010 and 2011.
Throughout his time in Tampa, McCoy couldn’t escape the shadow of Pro Football Hall of Famer and fellow three-technique Warren Sapp. At times the comparisons and criticism from fans for not being the menace that Sapp was would frustrate McCoy, who would smile when he played and developed numerous friendships with opponents.
McCoy left Tampa as one of just five players in Bucs’ history to earn at least six consecutive Pro Bowl berths (2012-2017) joining Buccaneer Ring of Honor members Mike Alstott, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp and Lee Roy Selmon. McCoy served as a team captain during that span too.
McCoy’s 45.5 career sacks are third among NFL defensive tackles since 2013. His 15 passes defensed are tied for second, his 60 tackles for a loss fifth and his 110 quarterback hits rank second among defensive tackles in that time span.
McCoy’s best season statistically came in 2013, when he registered 9.5 sacks.
ESPN’s Jenna Laine contributed to this report.