Gerald McCoy has finally chosen a new home. And it’s good news if you’re a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers (and I’m guessing you are). McCoy will reportedly sign a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal will be worth up to $10.25 million.
Schefter went on to explain that Carolina peeled him away from signing with the Ravens. The ultimate argument was a chance to play against his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs released McCoy then gave Ndkamukong Suh similar money, not to mention his #93 jersey.
Ian Rapoport provided full contract details.
McCoy first two visits were with Cleveland and Baltimore and it would’ve been reasonable to sign with either of those two teams, playoff contenders themselves. Choosing Carolina is good news from the Steelers’ perspective. McCoy has still been a disruptive force for years and would’ve bolstered a Cleveland team on the rise and reinforced an already strong Ravens’ defensive line.
The Steelers played the NFC South last year so unless these two teams meet in the Super Bowl, Pittsburgh will get to avoid McCoy. They’ll of course see each other in the preseason finale, not that McCoy or any notable Steeler starter will see action in that one. Against the Steelers last year, McCoy picked up half a sack and a pair of QB hits. The Steelers hung on to win that one, 30-27 as Tampa slogged their way to a 5-11 record.
For his career, McCoy has recorded 54.5 sacks in 123 career starts. He made six straight Pro Bowls from 2012 to 2017 before seeing that streak broken last year, where a calf injury limited him throughout the year.
