TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face tough decisions as they install a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. They have $17.97 million in salary-cap space, and that’s after cutting defensive end Vinny Curry, which essentially freed up the $9.28 million needed to pay their draft picks. More moves will need to be made, and the biggest decision revolves around defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
The six-time Pro Bowler turns 31 next week. While still productive, his play as of late (12.0 sacks over the past two seasons) hasn’t justified the $13 million that he’s owed in 2019, especially when left tackle Donovan Smith and linebacker Kwon Alexander remain unsigned and a new deal looms for quarterback Jameis Winston.