The Cleveland Browns have already added defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, but they could soon be landing another high-profile addition to their defensive line.
Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository reports that the Browns have “ongoing interest” in Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
The third overall pick in the 2010 draft, the 31-year-old McCoy has been available for much of the offseason, but no deal has ever gained much traction. Doerschuk suggests that running back Duke Johnson could be the bait for a Tampa Bay trade. Johnson, a versatile receiving back, will be buried on Cleveland's depth chart once suspended back Kareem Hunt returns after serving an eight-game sentence.
Signed through 2021, McCoy is due to earn $13 million in 2019, $12.5 million in 2020, and nearly $13 million in the final year of his contract.
Doerschuk points out that coach Bruce Arians has expressed ambivalence about paying so much to McCoy, given the reality that at his age McCoy’s performance could begin to dip. The question then becomes whether the Browns would be willing to pay McCoy $13 million this year, or whether they’d want to pay him less.
If the Browns will not be taking on all of McCoy's current contract, the more prudent financial move for the veteran may be to try and force the Bucs to release him so he can find a new deal on the open market. Either way, whether it is in Cleveland or elsewhere, it seems likely McCoy won't be playing in Tampa Bay this coming season.
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