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Bucs make Gerald McCoy NFL's top-paid defensive tackle

 
Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) leads a portion of his team down the tunnel and out onto the field for warmups. [DIRK SHADD   |   Times ]
Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) leads a portion of his team down the tunnel and out onto the field for warmups. [DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Published Oct. 26, 2014

TAMPA — The Bucs have had trouble buying a win this season, but the smart money might be on their future after the team locked up their best player for years and years to come.

The Bucs made Gerald McCoy the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL, signing him Saturday to a seven-year, $95.2 million contract extension through 2021.

The deal includes $51.5 million in guarantees and averages $13.6 million a year. That ranks fourth among all defensive linemen behind only Houston's J.J. Watt, Buffalo's Mario Williams and the Rams' Robert Quinn, who are all defensive ends.

"From the moment Lovie and I arrived here, we knew it was vital for us to keep Gerald in Tampa Bay long term as one of the cornerstones of our franchise," Bucs general manager Jason Licht said in a release by the team. "With the backing of the Glazer family, we were able to accomplish that. On the field, Gerald is one of the best players in the National Football League who has been extremely productive and will be for years to come. We are happy to reward someone that has a rare work ethic, which not only makes him an elite player, but serves as an example for our entire team."

McCoy, 26, has 20½ sacks in five seasons, 136 tackles and has been named to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons. He also was an All-Pro in 2013 after leading the Bucs with 9½ sacks.

By signing him to an extension, Tampa Bay avoided placing a franchise tag on McCoy when his contract expired after this season. That figure would've been more than $18 million for 2015.

Despite missing nearly two games with a fracture in his left hand, McCoy has been among the most productive players for the Bucs, who are 1-5 entering today's game against the Vikings. McCoy has 17 tackles, including six for loss, two sacks and one pass defensed. Eight tackles came in the opener against Carolina before the injury. He did not play Sept. 18 in a 56-14 loss at Atlanta.

The Bucs scheduled a 4 p.m. news conference Monday to formally announce the new pact with McCoy, who signed Saturday afternoon at One Buc Place.

In terms of total value, McCoy's contract is the richest in franchise history. But in average salary, it is second to cornerback Darrelle Revis, who earned $16 million in 2013. McCoy could earn as much as $14 million a year, but he insisted his performance bonuses be linked to the team's achievements.

"His commitment, character and leadership are attributes that make him a truly special person who will play a pivotal role in our future success," Licht said.

McCoy was the third overall draft pick in 2010 from Oklahoma, where he enjoyed an All-America career. He was in the final year of his rookie contract that paid him $55 million over five years.

Making the negotiation difficult was the fact that McCoy was already earning $13 million this year — $12.7 million in salary and a $300,000 bonus. The total payout for 2014 was increased by $7 million to $20 million.

Bucs coach Lovie Smith said at the NFL owners meetings in May that locking up McCoy long term was among the team's biggest priorities. Complicating matters was the fact that Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was picked one spot ahead of McCoy in the 2010 draft and is represented by the same agent, Ben Dogra.

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"Very seldom do I make the statement, 'best at,' but to me, he's the best at his position in the league," Smith has said. "That standard — I'm always talking to Gerald about that. 'Gerald, you can't blend in, you can't be gray. You have to stand out. Lead us.' And the great players accept that challenge, (saying), 'You can't give me too much.' "