Gerald McCoy Signs With the Dallas Cowboys

Gerald McCoy Signs Deal With Dallas Cowboys

McCoy spent the first nine years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the division rival Carolina Panthers in 2019. McCoy started all 16 games with the Panthers last season. He recorded 37 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss and five sacks. In a week six win over his former team, McCoy sacked Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston 2.5 times.

Tampa Bay selected McCoy with the 3rd overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. McCoy immediately earned a starting role and started all 13 games with the Buccaneers as a rookie. McCoy recorded 28 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss and three sacks before a torn biceps ended his season. He played in just six games in his second season due to another season-ending biceps injury.

McCoy came back strong in 2012 and began living up to his first round potential. He finished that season with five sacks and hasn’t failed to surpass or match that total in any season since then. 2012 was the first of six consecutive Pro Bowl selections for McCoy. McCoy also earned first-team All Pro honors in 2013 and was a second-team All Pro selection in 2012 and 2014. In addition, McCoy tied the Buccaneers single-game sack record with three sacks in a win over the Atlanta Falcons in 2013.

McCoy was released by Tampa Bay with three years remaining on his contract following the 2019 season. He finished his Bucs career with 297 total tackles, including 79 tackles for loss and 54.5 sacks. McCoy started all 123 of his games in a Bucs uniform.

McCoy also started all 40 games of his college football career for the Oklahoma Sooners. He recorded 83 total tackles with the Sooners, including 33 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. In 2007, McCoy was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the year. McCoy then earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore. In his final year with the Sooners, McCoy was a consensus All-American selection.