The Carolina Panthers will host recently released defensive tackle Gerald McCoy for a visit this week according to a report from Joe Person of The Athletic.
Breaking: Gerald McCoy will visit Panthers this week, per source.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) May 29, 2019
Updating my story from Sunday:https://t.co/6ynGUEkU3n
McCoy was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on May 20 after nine seasons with the team. He would be considered an immediate upgrade to the Panthers’ defensive line and would vastly improve the team’s pass rush that was nearly nonexistent in 2018.
The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns are also reportedly interested in acquiring McCoy’s services, but neither team has signed him.
McCoy got out of Cleveland and Baltimore without a contract. Panthers making a late run at him.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) May 29, 2019
Will be interesting to see where this ends up.
The Panthers potentially have a leg up on other suitors because they can give McCoy something other teams cannot provide — the chance to play the Buccaneers twice every season. I don’t know if McCoy is the type of guy who wants to seek revenge on the team who released him (it was reported to be a ‘mutual decision’ between him and the team) but it’s certainly something that Carolina can put on the negotiating table and see if it draws any interest.
The Panthers will also have $7.25 million in cap space added to the books on June 2 thanks to their decision earlier in the offseason to release offensive tackle Matt Kalil, so there shouldn’t be any issue where money is concerned.
What do you think, Panthers fans? Should the Panthers try to sign McCoy? Why or why not?