The Carolina Panthers seem to be legitimately interested in free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. While there’s no fire to be seen as of yet, there’s definitely more smoke.
Last week, Carolina was reported to be one of several NFL teams (as many as nine) interested in signing McCoy. Since then, most of the McCoy news has centered around the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns. Carolina has stayed in the conversation though and today there’s a few new developments.
According to a report by Joe Person at the Athletic, the Panthers’ interest in McCoy has “intensified.”
While it’s not clear what that means exactly, it could coincide with this report from Jourdan Rodrigue at the Charlotte Observer, who says the team has inquired about a visit.
Nothing official is set up just yet, though.
Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport at NFL Network is reporting that it’s a two-team race between Cleveland and Baltimore. However, Rapoport says the Panthers have been “lurking and monitoring” the situation with McCoy and remain interested.
To be continued.
Update:
A meeting is in the works. According to the Athletic, McCoy has agreed to visit Carolina this week.
“Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will continue his free agency tour this week with a visit to the Panthers, a league source told The Athletic on Wednesday. McCoy has already visited Cleveland and Baltimore, but left both teams without a contract.”
McCoy is an enticing talent, but there’s probably a reason why he left the Browns and Ravens without a deal. Signing an elite defensive lineman is an expensive proposition.
As of right now, the Panthers have just $9.8 million in cap room, according to Over the Cap. They might need to cut some dead weight if they’re seriously going to make a run at McCoy.
