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The Cincinnati Bengals are interested in free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
NFL studio host and ESPN national NFL reporter Diana Russini tweeted the news on May 22.
I’m told the Cincinnati Bengals have interest in signing Gerald McCoy per source #Bengals https://t.co/IhE5fs9XcO
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) May 22, 2019
Russini responded to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter's tweet which says the Cleveland Browns are also interested in McCoy's services.
It looks as if former Bucs’ DT Gerald McCoy already is wanted in Cleveland….. pic.twitter.com/tpZWEPcWuW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 21, 2019
Shortly after Russini broke the news on Wednesday, Bengals running back Joe Mixon recruited McCoy on Twitter.
Let’s lock this in @Bengals @Geraldini93 😎 https://t.co/TDnxGarbxa
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) May 22, 2019
According to Pro Football Rumors' Dallas Robinson, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts are also interested in signing McCoy. The Bengals don't have as much cap space ($20.03 million as of May 22), but they could certainly accommodate McCoy.
Should the Bengals sign McCoy, Robinson sees him starting alongside Geno Atkins. McCoy should fortify a Cincinnati defense which includes Kerry Wynn, Renell Wren, Andrew Billings, Carlos Dunlap, Carl Lawson, and Sam Hubbard, per Robinson.
The Bengals finished dead last in the NFL in team total defense in 2018. They gave up a total of 6,618 yards.
Bengals Interested In Signing DT Gerald McCoy https://t.co/NXKTpnd5BA pic.twitter.com/TSRfilALIR
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) May 22, 2019
McCoy's 21 quarterback hits last season ranked him fourth among defensive tackles last season. He was also the league's 28th-best interior defender, per Pro Football Focus (via Pro Football Rumors). His addition should go a long way for the Bengals.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released the 31-year-old McCoy on May 20. He spent the entirety of his nine-year NFL career with the Bucs.
A six-time Pro Bowler, McCoy has amassed 54.5 sacks, 296 tackles, 140 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in his NFL career.
