Things might have taken two days, but the Dallas Cowboys have entered into the free agency frenzy late on Tuesday night. After watching a trail of players leave the organization, especially on the defensive side of the ball, Dalas turned things around and brought in some help. For those who like to be able to identify a player, the Cowboys got one with a name and reputation.
Gerald McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowler, is coming to Dallas on a three-year deal, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.
The Cowboys have agreed to terms with defensive lineman Gerald McCoy on a three-year deal, according to a source. Like all these deals, it’s pending a physical. McCoy started every game last season for Carolina after a nine-year run with Tampa Bay. He… https://t.co/ydMR3wPmzv
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 18, 2020
McCoy joins the Cowboys after spending last season with the Carolina Panthers and his previous nine with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Staying in the NFC but leaving the South for the first time, McCoy will replace Maliek Collins, who has agreed to terms with the Oakland Raiders and his old DL coach Rod Marinelli.
McCoy, who is from the other side of the Red River Shootout, was the No. 3 overall pick in the same draft that saw Dallas grab Dez Bryant and Sean Lee.
It was less than a year ago that the buzz for McCoy to Dallas grew loud. A post-draft release by the Bucs had teams pursuing the DT with, at the time, 54.5 sacks with great fervor. He was linked by media and fans who were not sure what the Trysten Hill draft pick would look like, but ultimately the team didn’t pursue.
McCoy signed for $8 million with the Panthers, collecting five sacks and returned to the market. The 6-foot-4, 300 pound lineman will now rotate with Hill and possibly Tyrone Crawford at the pass-rushing defensive tackle position.
He plays much more than 3T though, as he has been used at both the 5T and 1T positions in his career.
McCoy hasn’t had less than five sacks in a season since 2011, when he only played in six contests.
[protected-iframe id=”6c1dee1a4210eeb118202593f4ed7c0c-105974723-50443307″ info=”https://widgets.sports-reference.com/wg.fcgi?css=1&site=pfr&url=%2Fplayers%2FM%2FMcCoGe99.htm&div=div_defense” ]
Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. McCoy was the fourth signing of the day for Dallas, but the first of the offseason from outside the organization. The club brought back linebacker Sean Lee ($4.5 million) and long snapper L.P. Ladouceur on one-year deals and safety Darian Thompson on a two-year deal for $2.5 million.
[lawrence-related id=641624][lawrence-newsletter]