The Cleveland Browns miss out on free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy as he decided to sign with the Carolina Panthers.

As the details emerge from Gerald McCoy’s decision to sign with the Carolina Panthers it appears the Browns chances to sign the free agent defensive tackle were slim. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network McCoy wanted to stay in the south. Cleveland is far from the south.

The familiarity with the south is why McCoy desired to remain there. McCoy has been in the south since coming into the league in 2010.

There is also the fact that McCoy can get revenge against his former team. Many people may have underestimated this factor. When teams move on from a player the aspect of revenge can play a big role. The Browns do face Tampa in the preseason, but it is not the same. McCoy would rather face the Buccaneers in a game that matters and not one that has literally zero impact on the regular season.

Now with the news that Ndamukong Suh will wear McCoy’s number in Tampa, there is even more incentive to enact revenge on Tampa. While Suh’s decision to take this number may not be a shot at McCoy, Tampa issuing this number to a player many view as his replacement probably does not sit well. If anyone was in McCoy’s shoes they would most likely feel the same way.

Sure if the Browns managed to sign Gerald McCoy it would have been great. McCoy would have added to the depth of the defensive line, a group that still needs help. The silver lining in this is that McCoy is not signing with Baltimore. If McCoy were to sign with the Ravens it would be a tough pill to swallow when the Browns have to face them twice a year.

Even though Gerald McCoy is visiting other teams (Baltimore and Carolina) the Cleveland Browns are still in the mix to land him.

Gerald McCoy is visiting the Carolina Panthers after visits with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. This is according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

It is assumed that McCoy will make his decision after visiting with Carolina. Playing time and money over the length of the contract will without a doubt be factors in his decision.

While the Browns may not be able to offer as much playing time as the other teams, they are still an attractive landing spot for Gerald McCoy. McCoy would be part of one of the better defensive lines in the NFL in Cleveland. Baltimore and Carolina may also be one of the better defensive lines in the NFL as well. Although it can be argued that McCoy would fit better in Cleveland.

There is also the fact that McCoy would be part of a rotation in Cleveland. The Browns already have the likes of Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson in the center of the defensive line. Adding McCoy to that mix would provide constant pressure on the offensive line. When one of Ogunjobi or Richardson comes out, McCoy would come in which would give the offense zero breaks in regards to pressure from the defense. This rotation would make each player more effective over the course of the season.

Even if the Browns do not end up signing McCoy it is not the end of the world. Although it would be more ideal to see McCoy in a Panthers uniform rather than a Ravens uniform Baltimore has signed players that Cleveland has expressed interest in before and it is always tough to see the face the Browns. With McCoy the Browns defense is just that much better and would help usher in the new competitive era in Cleveland.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and recently released defensive tackle Gerald McCoy would make a lot of sense for the rising Cleveland Browns defense.

Even before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Gerald McCoy there were whispers about the talented defensive tackle ending up in Cleveland. Now that McCoy has been released it appears more likely. The Browns need to bolster their defensive line and McCoy wants to come play for a contender. There is not a more exciting team on the rise than the Cleveland Browns and both parties would benefit from this partnership.

McCoy would be in the mix at the defensive tackle position with two other productive starters, Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson. This trio of stout defensive tackles would take the Cleveland defense to the next level. A signing such as this is the type of signing that contending teams always seem to make. Reaching out to a talented, but expensive players after his release and agreeing to a deal. This is literally playing out in real time. The New England Patriots have interest in McCoy and that alone should tell you that his services are indeed valued quite highly.

Defensive line depth is key

Defensive line depth is highly valuable. Currently the Browns have some great starters but not a whole lot after that. Adding more talent to the line will only make the Browns defense that much better. When the starters tire it is crucial to have productive players come in albeit temporarily. If those replacement players are not good, the opponent will target them almost instantly.

Having quality players coming in off the bench can make a difference over the course of the season. This will limit the overall volume of snaps the starters play and protects the team against injury. An endless supply of excellent defensive line play will tire out an offense. This strategy is what helped the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl in 2018. Philadelphia’s defensive line and pass rush was the heart of the defense and made the secondary’s job that much easier. If Cleveland can replicate anything close to that it will take the Browns defense to a level not seen in a very long time. Bringing in Gerald McCoy may be just the way to do that.

Update

Gerald McCoy visited the Cleveland Browns but left without a deal. However this does not mean all that much since the plan for McCoy was to leave to visit the Baltimore Ravens per Rick Stroud.

Visiting another team does not mean that he will sign there. There is nothing wrong with a player keeping a commitment that has been made prior. Also worth noting that the work John Dorsey has done to transform the Browns roster will be a huge selling point. Stroud also points this out in another tweet.

Until Gerald McCoy signs with another team the Cleveland Browns are still in play. No need to panic about him leaving Cleveland without a deal at this moment in time.