Gerald McCoy Rumors: Browns, Panthers, Ravens 'In Limbo' Amid Contract Talks

Free-agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has been actively negotiating with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens, and all three organizations remain "in limbo" while he makes his decision, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:

McCoy, 31, was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason.

McCoy had been set to make $13 million in 2019 and had three years left on his deal. After the Bucs reportedly were unable to find a trade partner, they released him and signed Ndamukong Suh for $9.2 million.

Head coach Bruce Arians said Friday during an appearance on ESPN that McCoy simply didn't "fit" in Tampa Bay any longer (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk):

"It just wasn't a fit. Whether it was financial, whatever, on the field, you know, it just didn't fit. I've been through this a number of times with guys and great players and it just comes a time when they have to separate the organization. You go back to Franco Harris not being a Steeler. This has happened for a long, long time."

McCoy was solid in the 2018 season, registering 28 tackles and six sacks in 13 games. That, combined with the dominance he showed in his prime, has made him an intriguing free agent.

In Cleveland, he'd be the final piece in what could be a dominant defensive line, pairing with Myles Garrett, Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson. That foursome would be expected to wreak havoc for a Browns team with legitimate playoff aspirations for the first time in years.

The Panthers, meanwhile, already have Kawann Short and Dontari Poe in the middle and Bruce Irvin on the edge, though McCoy would likely pair with Short and Poe in the team's new 3-4 scheme. 

And in Baltimore, McCoy would push for playing time alongside nose tackle Brandon Williams on the interior of the defensive line. 

All three teams would make sense for McCoy. And all three remain in limbo as he makes his decision.