Defensive lineman Gerald McCoy has spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was once one of the best defensive tackles in the league, but it appears that his future with the club may be in some doubt.
When asked about McCoy's status heading into 2019, new Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said that McCoy would be Tampa Bay's starting defensive tackle heading into 2019 “if he's here,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Arians added that while McCoy is still disruptive, he is not the same player he was several years ago, a clear indication that the Bucs may end up parting ways with him before next season begins.
McCoy is under contract through 2022 and is scheduled to make $13 million this year.
The 31-year-old is coming off a 2018 campaign in which he registered 28 tackles and six sacks in 14 games.
McCoy, who played his collegiate football at the University of Oklahoma, was originally selected by the Buccaneers with the third overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft.
He appeared in 13 contests during his rookie campaign, recording 27 tackles, three sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
McCoy did not break out until his third season, when he totaled 30 tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance.
The Oklahoma City native would then go on to make six Pro Bowls in a row, including a first-team All-Pro selection in 2013 when he racked up 50 tackles, 9.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
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