The Carolina Panthers Have Landed the Most Prized Free Agent Available
The Panthers agreed to terms with six-time Pro Bowl free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy on a one-year contract worth up to $10.25 million with incentives, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.
McCoy, who was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a salary cap move, will receive a $4 million signing bonus.
The Panthers made the move official on Tuesday afternoon.
It’s official official ?https://t.co/8ObKX9XIMk
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 4, 2019
“It’s great to have Gerald on our side now,” general manager Marty Hurney said. “We are very familiar with his skill set after facing him over the years and know that he not only brings a wealth of talent as a player but is also a tremendous person. We are extremely happy to have Gerald as a part of the Panthers organization.”
McCoy chose Carolina over Baltimore and Cleveland.
The addition of McCoy gives the Panthers a formidable set of defensive tackles that includes Kawann Short and Dontari Poe, who have each been to the Pro Bowl twice, and Kyle Love.
The 31-year-old McCoy has started 123 games during his nine seasons with the Buccaneers and posted 296 tackles and 54 1/2 sacks.
Gerald McCoy on it being said that he’s “not as disruptive as he used to be” …
“That was said by somebody who doesn’t know me and was never around me. Why it was said, I really don’t care. I know who I am and what I’m capable of. That’s why I’m here.”
— Max Henson (@PanthersMax) June 4, 2019
He had 28 tackles and six tackles last season for Tampa Bay in 14 games.
He has had at least six sacks in each of the last six seasons.
The Panthers are incorporating some 3-4 defensive looks into their scheme this year, which means the 6-foot-4, 300-pound McCoy could be lined up alongside Short, who will move to defensive end in those situations.
Or, the team could move the versatile McCoy to the other defensive end spot in the three-man front.
The Panthers struggled to apply pressure to the quarterback last season and also lost defensive end Julius Peppers to retirement this offseason.
McCoy’s best statistical season came in 2013, when he had 50 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks.
Along with a $4 million signing bonus, McCoy can earn incentives for sacks, as well as making the Pro Bowl and the playoffs.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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