Browns Interested In Potential Trade For Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy?

According to Steve Doerschuk of the Cartonrep.com, there’s a “real chance” the Browns pursue a potential trade for Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy.

According to Doerschuk, Browns GM John Dorsey is believed to have “ongoing” interest in McCoy and the Buccaneers are likely to be interested in getting some value in return for the veteran defensive tackle.

Doerschuk mentions that the Browns could offer the Buccaneers RB Duke Johnson in return for McCoy, seeing as the Buccaneers could use some running back help.

However, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says he’s ran this story by “nearly every source that would have been involved and all said there has been no discussion between the principles of the Browns and Bucs or McCoy’s representatives about a possible trade.”

Last we heard regarding McCoy, Michael Lombardi reported that the Buccaneers are shopping him “hard” in trade talks, but getting little interest from other NFL teams.

Lombardi adds that NFL teams are reluctant to take on McCoy’s $13 million salary, given that he has not played up to this level the past few years.

McCoy made the decision to skip the start of offseason workouts, but they’re just voluntary at this point.

At the NFL owners meetings, Buccaneers new HC Bruce Arians specifically said that McCoy is “not as disruptive as he was four years ago” but is still a good player at this point in his career. 

“He’s not as disruptive as he was four years ago,” Arians said. “But he’s still pretty disruptive. He’s still a good player.”

McCoy has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate this offseason, so this is clearly something worth keeping an eye on moving forward. 

McCoy, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2010. He’s currently in the fifth year of his seven-year, $95.2 million contract and set to make base salaries of $13 million and $10 million over the next two years of the agreement. 

According to OverTheCap.com, releasing or trading McCoy would free up $13 million of available cap space while creating no dead money. 

In 2018, McCoy appeared in 14 games for the Buccaneers and recorded 28 tackles, six sacks, and a pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 28 interior defender out of 112 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding McCoy as the news is available.