On the field, NFL teams only have to worry about beating one opponent at a time. In free agency, sometimes they have to compete with several. That’s the case this weekend for the Panthers, who are in a three-team race with the Browns and Ravens to win the services of free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
McCoy spent the first nine years of his time in the pros with the Buccaneers. While he’s had an outstanding individual career, wins have been hard to come by. Tampa did not make the playoffs once during that time. They also finished last place in the NFC South for seven of those seasons.
Many factors go into a big decision like this, but McCoy is no doubt weighing which team gives him the best chance to win. Let’s examine each team’s case.
Cleveland Browns // Baltimore Ravens // Carolina Panthers
Cleveland Browns
The word “winning” and the Browns have not belonged in the same sentence for a long time. Cleveland has won exactly zero playoff games since 1994, and since the 2002 season they have finished in fourth place in the AFC North 13 times.
Fortunes can change quickly in the NFL, though, and the Browns finally seem to have found some luck in the draft. Two years ago, they picked an elite pass rusher at No. 1 overall in Myles Garrett, followed by a new franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield with last year’s top pick. Together, the two represent a new era of hope in Cleveland.
Last season, the Browns won seven games, more than their previous three seasons combined. This year, the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. has added to the excitement around the franchise. McCoy would be joining a relatively loaded defensive front seven that already added Sheldon Richardson and Olivier Vernon this offseason.
Based on the strength and youth of their roster, the Browns have a very good case to make to McCoy that they’re the suitor with the best chance to win.
2019 projection: 9.5 wins, first place in AFC North
Cleveland Browns // Baltimore Ravens // Carolina Panthers
Baltimore Ravens
Compared with the Browns, the Ravens have had a lot more success in recent years. Coach John Harbaugh led them to a Super Bowl win in the 2012 season. While they have gotten to the playoffs only twice since then, Baltimore has still been relatively competitive.
After a three-year absence from the postseason, the Ravens won the division last season and lost in the wild-card round to the Chargers. Overall, Baltimore has made the postseason in seven out of 11 years that Harbaugh has been in charge.
The Ravens are a defense-first kind of team, and McCoy would be the latest in a series of quality free agent acquisitions in 2019, including Earl Thomas and Shane Ray. On paper, McCoy would be a great fit.
On the other hand, Baltimore’s quarterback situation is a bit of a mess. Joe Flacco never recovered his 2012 magic and is now gone. In his place, Lamar Jackson proved to be a dynamic rusher, but his passing game leaves a whole lot to be desired. Until he develops more, it’s tough to see the Ravens having much postseason success.
2019 projection: 8.5 wins, third place in AFC North
Cleveland Browns // Baltimore Ravens // Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
While the Panthers aren’t expected to do as well as the Browns or the Ravens this season, they do have their own selling points.
First and foremost, a healthy Cam Newton is the player most likely to give McCoy a legitimate shot to win a ring late in his career. Newton is a former MVP who has never really had a proper supporting cast. The Panthers front office has gone all out the last couple of offseasons to change that, though.
The offensive line should be much improved this year with the additions of Matt Paradis and Greg Little and the exit of Matt Kalil. Newton also has a loaded young receiver corps and an elite running back to take some of the pressure off.
There remain questions about the back end, but Carolina’s defense has also gotten an upgrade up front. Brian Burns, Christian Miller and Bruce Irvin should help boost a pass rush that finished No. 27 in sacks last year. Signing McCoy would only reinforce that trend.
However, there’s no guarantee that Cam’s throwing shoulder will hold up for a full season, and the NFC South is arguably the toughest division in the league. At the very least, it’s the only one with a future Hall of Fame quarterback and two other potential HOFers.
2019 projection: 7 wins, third place in NFC South
Truth be told, Cleveland is probably McCoy’s best chance at a Super Bowl this year. Carolina might have to sell McCoy on their unproven rebuild and two revenge games a year against Tampa.
