Gerald McCoy feels disrespected by Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy went on Undisputed today to vent some frustration with the way his situation was handled.

It has been no secret that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Gerald McCoy were destined for a split. It happened about a month ago and he signed with the Carolina Panthers, and at the time McCoy stated he had nothing but gratitude for the Buccaneers and for the organization that changed his life. His tone has changed a bit when he went on Undisputed with Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe today.

The first question asked by Sharpe and Bayless was in regards to the Buccaneers immediately signing Ndamukong Suh to replace him, and not only replace him but wear his number. McCoy stated it was the first sign of disrespect he felt:

"“In the history of Bucs, they have a Ring of Honor… When Sapp, Lynch, Brooks, Selmon, Barber left, nobody wore their number. They didn’t give their number away It was a sign of respect… I am one of the best players to play in the organization. It kind of shows they kind of respect they have for me” (McCoy via Undisputed)."

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Putting himself in the same category as Lee Roy Selmon, Derrick Brooks, and Warren Sapp may be taking it a little too far. But to give his number to a guy who will only be in Tampa Bay for one year does feel like an intentional slap in the face to McCoy.

McCoy went on to say he was not really even given the chance to restructure his deal. McCoy’s answer left some murkiness though saying, “Not really technically a restructure… no.” Only inferring here, but the Buccaneers probably asked him to take a paycut, which is different than restructuring. Mike Evans restructured his deal yesterday, converting some of his salary into a signing bonus, which is different than taking a paycut.

The six time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro was then asked if he was kept in the loop and was in communication with the Buccaneers’ coaching staff and front office throughout the offseason. McCoy said that he was pretty much completely ghosted by the team.

"“I did not speak to any of the coaches besides Bruce Arians without running into them while I was working out… If I am supposed to be one of the staples, have been one of the staples since I’ve been there… you mean to tell me you can’t pick up the phone?… Nobody called me. Not once… silence speaks volumes” (McCoy via Undisputed)."

It is a bit odd that a team would keep a player who has been the anchor of their franchise over the past nine seasons in the dark throughout an offseason where so much hung in limbo. McCoy went on to say, “I spoke to more people on Baltimore, Cleveland, and Carolina’s staff than I spoke to the Bucs all offseason.”

What was on McCoy’s mind this offseason as he prepared for the worst and hoped for the best? He kept working. “Whenever I got the phone call I knew I was going to be ready. Whether that was for Tampa or for someone else, I was going to be ready.”

At the end of the day, it does not sound like McCoy holds anything against the Buccaneers for moving on from him, but feels disrespected for the way they handled the situation this offseason. In all honesty, this situation was handled poorly by the organization and a player who strapped up a helmet and played his way to six straight Pro Bowls in the pewter and red deserved better.

"“I have no hard feelings towards Tampa at all, but there comes a point in time when you have to show some respect and I didn’t feel like they showed me the respect I deserved. That I earned” (McCoy via Undisputed)."

At the end of the day, McCoy is no longer a Buccaneer, but is a Panther and will see his former team twice this season. “It’s going to be fun. I’m looking forward to it.”