Gerald McCoy Talks Lavonte David Status, Bucs’ Greatest Need
February 4th, 2025
Six-time Bucs Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy continued his impassioned plea for Buccaneers Ring of Honor GM Jason Licht to trade for Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett.
McCoy also addressed the Bucs’ greatest offseason need.
“You can either go corner or edge rusher [as greatest offseason need], but our four leading guys in sacks were three inside interior rushers and Lavonte [David]. And you gotta have somebody who can go win a 1-on-1 on the edge,” McCoy told The Drive on WDAE radio.
McCoy further emphasized the Bucs’ edge rush need through the re-arrival of Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett in late December.
“If the Bucs had what they needed, they wouldn’t have went and got [Shaq] at the end of the year going into the playoffs. … This is not a shot at the guys we have, it’s just reality,” McCoy said.
Garrett is a true “franchise-changer,” McCoy added, and he also shared a personal Garrett story.
McCoy said Cleveland was interested him in 2019 free agency but Garrett told Browns management he didn’t want the Bucs’ castoff. Per McCoy, that wasn’t disrespect, it was evidence of how loyal Garrett is to teammates.
And McCoy wants that kind of guy on his beloved Bucs.
Another Garrett benefit? Joe will let McCoy answer.
“Tampa, I have a direct line to Lavonte David,” McCoy said. “I spoke to Lavonte [Sunday]. Evrybody’s wondering if one of the greatest Bucs, one of the greatest players to ever grade NFL fields is coming back to finish his career in Tampa. I don’t have the answer for you. But if they get Myles Garrett, don’t you think that would entice Lavonte David to come back and be a Buccaneer? That’s all I’m saying.”
Coaxing David into another season (if he even needs the nudge) is no reason to trade a ransom for Garrett. But Joe would love to see Garrett in a Bucs uniform and David could be a sweet side benefit.
The X-factor is Garrett’s market value.
If he costs two first-round picks, Chris Braswell and a conditional draft pick based on performance, Joe would start drooling.
February 4th, 2025 at 2:20 pm
Garrett is an expensive pipe dream.
The draft capital alone to get him would set the team back years, like the Gruden trade did, which may be OK if the Glazers are all-in for a one- year push.
February 4th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
No it wouldn’t Cobraboy.
Imagine if Cleveland would take two 1st rounds and a 2nd round pick???
That would be like the Bucs trading Devin White, JTS and Logan Hall…
Pretty sure those three selections didn’t catapult the team into the future, did they???
February 4th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
Interesting Elio. But we didn’t know that then.
February 4th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
The Browns insist they’re not trading him.
The asking price is unknown, but obviously crazy expensive.
Does anyone believe Garrett is dying to drop into pass coverage 75% of his snaps?
He’d be awesome and maybe would change the way defense is coached and called. The Magic 8 Ball says, “Highly unlikely.” It ain’t gonna happen.
February 4th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
3 guesses in the draft or a sure fire all star.. thats easy
February 4th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
I’d be fine with two 1st round picks and a player for Garrett.
February 4th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
if we don’t get garret then trade for trey hendrickson for a cheaper price, he is a florida boy. Maybe only for a 3rd round pick too
February 4th, 2025 at 3:02 pm
Colin in Canada Says:
I’d be fine with two 1st round picks and a player for Garrett.
^^^^^^
So torn on what is too much for MG. 2025-1st and 2026-2nd would ideal but I think we get outbid. 2025 & 2026 – 1sts would be fine but a lot but probably what’s required.
I’d rather send 2025-1, 2026-2, and Braswell.
February 4th, 2025 at 3:06 pm
I’m pretty sure we go FA Edge and CB in round 1.
This guy Jahdae Barron had 5 picks and a whopping 10 forced picks this year alone for Texas. He did most of it in a Zone Defense too.
If Bowles wants a good corner and wants to play zone more, then get a guy who is good at zone!!!
February 4th, 2025 at 3:14 pm
I would rather have a cheaper Trey than Miles honestly.
He is only 1 year older.
He has averaged 14 sacks a year over the last 5 years. (70.5)
Miles Garrett has 1.5 more sacks over that time frame. (72)
Don’t go too crazy on a 29 Garrett, if a 30 year old Hendrikson is that much cheaper.
Plus, He might want to stick it to NO twice a year.
February 4th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
ElioT
What if the picks were Tristan Wirfs, Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield?
February 4th, 2025 at 3:39 pm
At the end of the day, Cleveland is saying he is not trading , because he is keeping the price high,….
What’s the price you wanna pay?
Two first ones I think is a lot
February 4th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
The trade does not fit in Jason Lichts box. He does not like to trade premium picks AT ALL. It would be Highly unusual for him to pull the trigger on Garret. His entire history with the Bucs screams that he wont make that move.
Personally 2 first rounders is the max I would want the Bucs to do
February 4th, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Yeah let’s be analytical in this. Out last 4 first round picks were:
2020: Tristan Wirfs
2021: JTS
2022: nobody
2023: Calijah Kancey
2024: Graham Barton
If Myles Garret costs two first round picks (plus something less valuable that we would all agree on). There are 6 ways to organize the players we would be “giving up (T is Tristan, J for JTS, C for Calijah, G for Graham)
1. TJ
2. TC
3. TG
4. JC
5. JG
6. CH
Which of these combinations of two players would you realistically give up for Myles Garrett. To start, I wouldn’t give up Tristan and anyone else for him. Garrett is 29 and Tristan is what, 25?. So 3 out of 6 are gone.
JTS and Calijah- that’s a tough one because of Calijah potential but let’s say yes, we’d make that trade.
JTS and Graham- easy yes
Calijah and Graham- based on potential and the need to find two other starters I’m saying no.
So essentially 2/6 times it would be a good trade. Or 33% of the time. Math doesn’t make sense if you are trying to build a team.
February 4th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
This is why we have a GM to run the team. Casual armchair fans ready to give up the farm for one player. On top of which they think another team would take a player that can’t even stay on the field.
February 4th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
I’d be fine as long as he doesn’t end up on the Falcons
February 4th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
Garrett is best fit for a 4-3 scheme Dline. He’s going to if traded at all be going to the LV Raiders and join Max Crosby another great pass rusher. That team is in the rise for real. I wouldn’t trade for him if I was raiders though tbh. Even if I’m Bucs I’m not giving away talent to get talent. That’s a waste of resources and money. Commanders could be interesting trade. I can see him in Dallas or New Orleans. I can see him with Cincinnati or Chicago. Also Minnesota or Carolina. Idk about some of these teams though. He wants to win. Lol they’re all basically losers except bengals , commanders, Minnesota so…
February 4th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
Doubtful we land him, we have too many holes to fill. We would likely lose our top draft pick or two….plus eat up $20 million in cap space. We cut Dean….that’s more cap space but another hole to fill. There’s also guys we’ll want to resign….just don’t see us having the resources to pull it off.
February 4th, 2025 at 8:35 pm
Hendrickson is better value.
February 5th, 2025 at 2:03 am
@BillyBucco–My thoughts exactly.
————-
If Garrett was 27 and filling to sign an extension, I’d be open to it, but 2 first rounders and a second rounder is too much for a guy who is 29
February 5th, 2025 at 6:53 am
“”I’d be fine as long as he doesn’t end up on the Falcons””
From your keyboard to God’s ears.
February 5th, 2025 at 10:05 am
Pass for me
February 5th, 2025 at 10:05 am
If it’s two 1’s. )
February 5th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Tampabay97 makes a great case. And, here are a few more points.
Those two first round picks come with eight to ten years of nearly exclusive rights and rookie salary. Garrett comes with a two year contract, and then he is a free agent.
Godwin just finished a two year contract. An injury cost the Bucs almost half of it. A season ending injury to Garret could likewise cost you half of the value of the contract.
Garrett is a mighty big egg. But, that egg is all in one basket. And, that egg hatches pretty soon. And, then, what do the Bucs have? Egg shells!
February 5th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
@ Tampabay97 Kancey, Wirfs and Barton aren’t going anywhere. Why would you want to trade any of those guys? Sure glad you are not in charge
February 5th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
There’s no way I would give up Graham kancey but I would give up this year’s first this year’s third and next year’s third for Garrett miles Garrett along with v-te can’t see yayabi do this this would be unstoppable