Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 15 greatest pass rushers in franchise history

Based off the previous nine seasons, Gerald McCoy seemed to be on the way to spending his entire career in Tampa Bay before the team decided to release the six-time Pro Bowler during the 2019 NFL offseason.

Talent-wise, there wasn’t really any concern over whether McCoy could still play at a high level. However, the decision to release him was made more so due to the hefty price tag the veteran carried with him. That being said, it was ironic to see the team sign Ndamukong Suh later on, who has made quite a bit of coin in his day, now on his fourth NFL franchise.

Even though it will take some time to adjust to McCoy playing on a different team within the division now that he’s a member of the Carolina Panthers, the Buccaneers will forever be grateful for his accomplishments from 2010 to 2018.

As thrilling as it was to watch McCoy earn six trips in a row to the Pro Bowl beginning in the 2012 season, the most impressive accomplishment has to be sitting No. 3 all-time on the team’s sack list (54.5) by a wide margin.

McCoy has to feel crushed to know that he will no longer be around to chase after Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp in the Buccaneers’ pantheon, but he still has plenty to feel proud about sitting in the No. 3 spot since it’s an unbelievable accomplishment.

Then again, would the Buccaneers even consider bringing McCoy back after the 2018 season at the right price? If McCoy continues to show he can still play at a high level moving forward, anything seems possible regarding a potential reunion down the road.