“Real chance” defensive tackle Gerald McCoy cut by Buccaneers

Former third overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft may see his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers end. After 123 games and an impressive 54.5 sacks, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound interior lineman may be on the lookout for a new team.

This should be exciting for Falcons fans. Per Jenna Laine of ESPN, the new coaching staff may have better use for McCoy’s cap space.

Gerald McCoy, who is due to make $13 million next year (none guaranteed) if he remains on the roster, would line up on the outside as a three-technique, opposite a player such as William Gholston, who may truly be a better fit as a player in a 3-4 scheme. Given that the Bucs are about $16.5 million under the salary cap going into 2019, there is a real chance McCoy won’t return.

McCoy turns 31 this offseason, however, his performance has not dropped off. He put up 6 sacks from the defensive tackle position, and was PFF’s 30th ranked interior defensive lineman who played at least 20% of the snaps.

Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn know they desperately need to see the team make the playoffs if they want to keep their jobs. With potentially up to $60 million in cap space after a few moves, we expect them to make a few moves similar to 2014 (hopefully with better returns). McCoy would make a lot of sense to toss in the rotation with Grady Jarrett, Deadrin Senat, and Jack Crawford.

McCoy, if he follows the same path as many veterans, should be interested in heading to a team with playoff potential. The Falcons would additionally give him the chance to play his former team twice a year, and to stick pretty close to his home in Tampa.

If the Falcons add McCoy, he would be a huge boost to the interior line, essentially replacing the invisible Terrell McClain.