A recent Buccaneers mainstay that deserves a ring
McCoy’s name on this list is sure to draw criticism. A somewhat unceremonious departure to a division rival after refusing a pay cut left a bitter taste in many fans’ mouths. The fact that Ndamukong Suh came in and wore the same number and played well only adds insult to injury.
While people took fault with McCoy’s cheerful attitude after losses, incorrectly believing that he was complacent, and believe that he stabbed his franchise in the back, McCoy not winning a ring is one of the few tragedies that came with this Super Bowl.
McCoy never had to stay in Tampa. Those Buccaneers teams were downright awful and to no fault of his own. McCoy was playing well and getting paid, so taking fault with his attitude is baseless. The fact that he remained with the Buccaneers as long as he did is a testament to McCoy’s character, and his departure is entirely on the team.
After McCoy invested so much in Tampa and vice versa, it’s hard to separate McCoy and the Buccaneers during the 2010s. Number 93 was one of the few bright spots for a roster that was hard to watch more often than not, and the combination of loyalty and individual success easily lands McCoy on this list with the likes of Wilder.
It hurts to know that McCoy on the Super Bowl roster would’ve changed little and it would have also given him exactly what he deserved for the loyalty that he showed during his career in Tampa.
There is still a chance that the Bucs offer McCoy a depth rotational position if an injury occurs to the defensive line during camp, but it is a long shot.