Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cleveland Browns still interested in Gerald McCoy

The Cleveland Browns still have interest in Gerald McCoy, but are waiting patiently to see how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers proceed this offseason.

The divorce of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is a forgone conclusion at this point. As the Buccaneers continue to ponder their options with McCoy, one team has their sights set on the All-Pro and former third overall pick: the Cleveland Browns.

As of last week, Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Rep, the same writer who first reported the Browns’ interest in Odell Beckham Jr., has stated general manager John Dorsey remains interested in McCoy, but is playing it safe for the time being. It seems McCoy’s $13 million price tag is too heavy of a cost for the Browns, but if the Buccaneers cut McCoy, then the Browns are highly motivated to add him on a more team-friendly contract.

McCoy is unwilling to restructure his $13 million contract, making it difficult for any team to trade for him. With the Buccaneers having no buyers to this point, it looks inevitable they may have no other option but to release McCoy without any draft pick in return.

Throughout his decade run in Tampa Bay, McCoy was named to six straight Pro Bowls from 2012-2017. Last year he was on pace to match his production from those years, but played only 14 games due to injury; he graded out as an above average player according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Still a highly productive and motivated player, McCoy will have a huge chip on his shoulder in 2019.

Considering the Buccaneers still do not have enough cap space to sign all of their 2019 draft picks, they are motivated to start making some moves rather quickly rather than wait any longer. Should McCoy be released or decide to take a pay cut to make himself more appealing on the trade market, the Browns are a team to watch.