Buccaneers are releasing six-time Pro-Bowl DT Gerald McCoy, who was due to make $13 million this season, as @NFLSTROUD reported.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2019
Former Buccaneers’ DT Gerald McCoy wants to sign with a playoff contender, and of course make money. But he wants to win. Spots that would make sense include the Browns, the Patriots, the Chargers, the Jaguars, and the Cowboys amongst others.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2019
Per @NFLSTROUD, the Patriots have shown interest in signing the newly released Gerald McCoy. Sounds like McCoy would be open to joining the Pats, too. Would be a huge boost for their D-line. https://t.co/4y9Vy3WPLG pic.twitter.com/n3nz43JjEq
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) May 20, 2019
Sign. Me. UP!
It only makes sense that Gerald McCoy would want to come to New England after being trapped in Tampa for the last 9 seasons. McCoy, a six-time Pro-Bowler, has been wasting away his talents for one of the more laughable franchises in the league over the last decade or so. Why not come to Foxborough? At least here, you’re guaranteed a trip to the playoffs while Brady is still running the show. That’s something he’s yet to check off his bucket list.
The Patriots may have re-signed Danny Shelton yesterday, but I wouldn’t feel too comfortable going into this season with him atop the depth chart at DT, and you shouldn’t either. They lost Malcom Brown earlier in free agency to the Saints, Trey Flowers to the Lions, and Adrian Clayborn (who the team released) to the Falcons. That’s three key defensive line players from last season gone. The team has made a few moves to try replacing that production, trading for Michael Bennett and drafting Chase Winovich, but I don’t think what they’ve done is enough.
McCoy may not be the All-Pro player that he was back in 2016, but it’s not like he’s completely fallen off the wagon. In 14 games last season, McCoy gathered 28 tackles and 6 sacks. Not sexy numbers by any means compared to the rest of his career, but still extremely serviceable to say the least. And if he could get back to his 2017 Pro-Bowl form (47 tackles and 6 sacks), this could wind up being one of the Patriots best moves of the off-season if they decide to pull the trigger.
-Nick Cherico (@CouchGuyCherico)