When the Bucs were on the clock in the 2010 NFL Draft the Detroit Lions picked Ndamukomng Suh one spot ahead of Tampa Bay. The Bucs wasted little time to draft Oklahoma All-American defensive tackle Gerald McCoy with the overall No. 3 selection and he went on to have nine productive seasons with Tampa Bay and was one of the most beloved players in team history.

Bucs Jason Pierre-Paul and Gerald McCoy
Bucs Jason Pierre-Paul and Gerald McCoy – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Not a bad consolation prize.

Fast forward to 2019 and the Buccaneers allowed McCoy to walk in free agency and ended up signing Suh who helped Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl last month, the second in franchise history.

Now, could McCoy be back to Tampa Bay and team up with Suh in pursuit of his first trip to the playoffs?

As a guest on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday, McCoy said he would welcome the chance to return to Tampa Bay, and even hinted he isn’t looking to break the bank, just have a shot to win after 10 seasons in the league.


In McCoy’s nine seasons with the Buccaneers the six-time Pro Bowler recorded 54.5 sacks, good for third best in team history. After leaving the Bucs in 2019, McCoy signed with Tampa Bay division rival th Carolina Panthers where he spent one season, notching five sacks. Last March McCoy signed a three-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys before suffering a ruptured quadriceps and was released on an injury waiver clause in August.

“I’m not looking for a big contract,” McCoy said. “People my age look for one more contract, substantial before they finish up. (But) in this phase, I’m in the winning phase. 11 years in and never been to the playoffs. I’m not looking for a huge contract, I’m looking for the best situation where I can experience winning before I’m done. So for my free agent pick, or whoever picks me, the goal is for it to be mutual they are in a win-now situation.”

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About the Author: Mark Cook

Mark Cook currently is the director of editorial content and Bucs beat writer and has written for PewterReport.com since 2011. Cook has followed the Buccaneers since 1977 when he first began watching football with his Dad and is fond of the 1979 Bucs team that came within 10 points of going to a Super Bowl. His favorite Bucs game is still the 1979 divisional playoff win 24-17 over the Eagles. In his spare time Cook enjoys playing guitar, fishing, the beach and family time.Cook is a native of Pinecrest in Eastern Hillsborough County and has written for numerous publications including the Tampa Tribune, In the Field and Ya'll Magazine. Cook can be reached at mark@pewterreport.com
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