The Gerald McCoy-Tampa Bay Buccaneers saga appears to be finally be over, as multiple outlets reported Monday that the team is releasing its six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
McCoy, the third overall pick in 2010 NFL Draft, has three years left on his contract which called for him to make $13 million in base pay this season. The original contract was for six years and $95.2 million.
After the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud originally reported the news, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that the Bucs tried for two months to find a trade partner, but when it was clear there was none, the two sides “mutually parted ways.”
The 31-year-old McCoy has been a pillar on otherwise subpar defenses for most of his career in Tampa.
Earlier this month, McCoy voiced his displeasure with trade rumors while skipping voluntary workouts.
“I will be playing football somewhere,” McCoy told a local reporter at the time. When asked where that would be, McCoy said, “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Drafted out of Oklahoma in 2010, McCoy has 296 tackles, 54.5 sacks, 140 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 123 career games over nine seasons.
