The Cleveland Browns have been one of the most active teams in the NFL this offseason.
But when it came to the team’s attempt to sign Gerald McCoy, the team ultimately fell short.
On Monday, McCoy, who parted ways with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two weeks ago, agreed to a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 31-year-old chose the Panthers over the Browns and Baltimore Ravens, each of whom he visited following his release from the Buccaneers.
“We want Gerald to go out and look at other places because when he makes the commitment here, we want him to be all in,” Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens said following McCoy’s visit to Cleveland. “Everybody that is going to be here is going to be all in, and that is what we need to get to where we are going. We are fine with him taking a look at everybody else. We do not care because we have told him who we were. If that is who he wants, he will end up here. He knows the direction we are headed.”
As it turns out, McCoy preferred the direction of Carolina – as well as perhaps the opportunity to play his former team twice a year. The No. 3 pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, McCoy spent the first nine seasons of his career in Tampa Bay, where he amassed 296 tackles, 79 of which came for a loss, 54.5 sacks and 140 QB hits in 123 games.
According to Schefter, McCoy's contract will be for one year and approximately $8.5 million.
Despite missing out on adding a player who is a 6-time Pro Bowl selection and 3-time first-team All-Pro, defensive line remains one of Cleveland’s most improved units. Earlier this offseason, the Browns acquired pass-rusher Olivier Vernon in a trade with the New York Giants before signing defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson to a 3-year, $37 million contract.
With defensive end Myles Garrett and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi already in tow, the Browns should lay claim to one of the most talented front-fours in all of football. That’s not to say McCoy wouldn’t have provided a sizable boost – only that Cleveland should still possess a plethora of pass rushing prowess.