NFL PLAYER NEWS

Reports: Panthers sign DT McCoy

Field Level Media

June 03, 2019 at 11:39 pm.

Free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and the Carolina Panthers agreed to a one-year deal on Monday, multiple media outlets reported.

The contract will pay as much as $10.25 million and includes a $4 million signing bonus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Charlotte Observer cited sources indicating that the deal is worth a minimum of $8.5 million.

McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, had visited the Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. Schefter said quarterback Cam Newton helped to sway him toward the Panthers, adding the chance to play his former team — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — twice a year could have been an incentive.

McCoy, the third overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, was released by the Buccaneers on May 20 with three years left on his contract. The deal called for him to make $13 million in base pay this season. The original contract was for six years and $95.2 million.

The Tampa Bay Times reported McCoy, 31, drew bids from 10 teams with offers as high as $11 million annually.

Carolina freed up $9 million in salary-cap space in the past week by releasing offensive tackle Matt Kalil and restructuring the contract of wide receiver Torrey Smith, Schefter reported.

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