It has been a bit of a trend this off-season in the NFL, where teams are deciding it's time to let go of veteran stars who may be tailing off a bit. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did just that on Monday, as they are parting ways with defensive end Gerald McCoy. An ESPN report says that the two sides "mutually agreed" to part ways, after McCoy was a no-show for the team's off-season program that began last month. This was a head-scratcher for the Buccaneer's organization, as McCoy has always been present at these workouts since getting drafted in 2010.
McCoy spent nine seasons with Tampa Bay, making the Pro Bowl six times, but the playoffs zero times. The defensive force was the third overall pick in the NFL Draft nine years ago, and he was scheduled to make $13 million for the 2019 season. None of that money was guaranteed, and sources close to the situation say that a conversation regarding that number was part of the reason for the release. He did have three years remaining on his contract, which would've kept him with Tampa Bay through the 2021 season.
The former first-round pick was reportedly frustrated that the team refused to commit to him this off-season, and even took to social media to call the team out. After new head coach Bruce Arians claimed that McCoy was "not as disruptive as he was four years ago," the now former Buc took posted a rant on Instagram that included "don't you ever question me!" To be fair to Arians, his sack total has gone down each year since he had 9.5 of them in 2013. McCoy had six of them this past season, and will look to prove himself in a difference uniform this season.
McCoy spent nine seasons with Tampa Bay, making the Pro Bowl six times, but the playoffs zero times. The defensive force was the third overall pick in the NFL Draft nine years ago, and he was scheduled to make $13 million for the 2019 season. None of that money was guaranteed, and sources close to the situation say that a conversation regarding that number was part of the reason for the release. He did have three years remaining on his contract, which would've kept him with Tampa Bay through the 2021 season.
The former first-round pick was reportedly frustrated that the team refused to commit to him this off-season, and even took to social media to call the team out. After new head coach Bruce Arians claimed that McCoy was "not as disruptive as he was four years ago," the now former Buc took posted a rant on Instagram that included "don't you ever question me!" To be fair to Arians, his sack total has gone down each year since he had 9.5 of them in 2013. McCoy had six of them this past season, and will look to prove himself in a difference uniform this season.
