The Buccaneers had played it cool through the first three months of free agency, signing mid-tier players to come in and compete for starting jobs, while others will provide depth and competition.

Until now.

As PewterReport.com expected, Tampa Bay has reached an agreement with free agent defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh to bolster their pass rush and replace defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Releasing McCoy created $13 million in salary cap space.

Suh signed a one-year deal worth $9.25 million with incentives that can push the value to $10 million. The Bucs save roughly $4 million in cap room that was needed to sign the rest of the team’s draft picks, including first-round pick linebacker Devin White.

Suh was the overall No. 2 draft pick in 2010 and selected on spot ahead of McCoy. Both have had very good NFL careers and earned multiple honors during their first nine seasons in the league.

Suh is five-time Pro Bowler and has earned three All-Pro selections over his career, while notching 476 tackles, 56 sacks, 32 pass breakups and four forced fumbles.

Suh was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2010 and signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent in 2015. The former Cornhuskers star played in Miami for three seasons before moving to the Rams where he played in 2018, helping Los Angeles reach the Super Bowl.

The signing of Suh signaled the end of the McCoy era in Tampa Bay. McCoy was released by the Buccaneers earlier this week.

Suh, no stranger to controversy, has been suspended once and fined a number of times over his career for late hits and other penalties, and will bring an edge to a defense that wants to get tougher – and have more of an edge – under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.