Report: Gerald McCoy sides with Carolina Panthers, not Cleveland Browns

By John Deike | June 3, 2019 at 6:10 PM EDT - Updated June 3 at 6:10 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens was optimistic the team would sign free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, McCoy had a few teams in mind, but decided on the Carolina Panthers.

Gerald McCoy left Baltimore thinking he very well might sign there. But Carolina wowed him on his visit; Cam Newton helped recruit McCoy big time, per source. To cap it off, McCoy gets to play his former Bucs team that released him and gave his No. 93 to Ndamukong Suh. Personal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2019

Panthers are giving former Buccaneers’ DT Gerald McCoy a one-year deal, per sources. It is likely to be worth about $8.5 million, per sources. https://t.co/LIE2DOC8wi
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2019