Carolina Panthers: Gerald McCoy decision not based on dollar bills
Carolina Panthers land prized free agent Gerald McCoy.
The Carolina Panthers bolstered their defensive line significantly after persuading veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to join them. Nine years after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made McCoy the third overall pick of the draft, the team elected to part ways with his services due to their current salary cap situation.
McCoy was then courted by a number of NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Carolina. Ultimately, he decided upon the latter for significantly less guaranteed money than in other places.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, McCoy agreed on $8 million guaranteed for one season of a deal that could ultimately be worth $10.25 million with incentives. This was half as much money as he was offered from other suitors but the Panthers give McCoy something no other team on his final list could – revenge.
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Joining an NFC South rival of his former team, the Panthers and Buccaneers meet twice annually. This year, Carolina hosts Tampa Bay in Week 2 on Thursday night and then travels to London for a Week 6 game against McCoy’s former team. The opportunity to face off against the only team he’s known in nearly a decade had to be inviting for the six-time Pro Bowl candidate.
McCoy joins a suddenly crowded defensive line interior that should be among the best in the league once the season arrives. Playing alongside Kawann Short, Dontari Poe, Kyle Love and Vernon Butler there is a chance his addition could push one of those guys out of a position.
Depending on how the remaining offseason practices, training camp and preseason games play out, it is possible someone’s job may be in jeopardy. However, having nothing guaranteed beyond this season also limits the amount of moves Carolina may be comfortable making without putting themselves in a shortage at this point next season.
Next. Takeaways from OTAs. dark
Right now, McCoy is on board and although the end result of his addition is yet to be determined, it looks good for the black and blue.