Gerald McCoy Voices Displeasure With Buccaneers
Shortly after former Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy agreed to a deal with the Panthers, we heard that his decision to stay in the NFC South rather than sign with the Browns or Ravens — the two other teams that were heavily pursuing him — was based primarily upon the camaraderie he saw during his visit to Carolina, along with his reservations about the cities of Cleveland and Baltimore. Although there was speculation that the chance to exact revenge on his old team two times a season may have had some impact on his choice, it seems that opportunity was more important to McCoy than was previously believed.
Appearing on FS1’s “The Undisputed” (h/t ESPN.com), McCoy unequivocally voiced his displeasure with the Tampa Bay organization. First, McCoy said that the club’s decision to give new signee (and McCoy replacement) Ndamukong Suh No. 93, McCoy’s old number, did not sit well with him. McCoy said, “It may seem like it’s just a number, but it’s bigger than that. It’s respect. That was a big part of the separation between me and Tampa, period, was the respect they showed to me all offseason. It just wasn’t there.”
As McCoy makes clear, the jersey number situation was emblematic of what he perceived to be a general lack of appreciation for his work for, and dedication to, a generally mediocre outfit. He added, “I’m one of the best players to ever play in the organization. I’m going to say it — usually I wouldn’t, but I’m going to say it. It kind of shows the respect and how they feel about me.”
The Bucs knew for some time that they were going to part ways with McCoy, and after they were unable to find a willing trade partner, they ultimately made the decision to release him. Even so, the fact that he did not receive any communication from the team’s coaching staff — including new HC Bruce Arians — while he was still under contract was quite frustrating to McCoy. He said, “I spoke to more people in Baltimore’s, Cleveland’s and Carolina’s staff than I spoke to the Bucs all offseason, and that’s a fact.”
Although the Panthers and Bucs both seem content with the former First Team All-Pros they have added to their defensive lines this offseason, McCoy’s candid remarks will add a layer of interest to this year’s divisional bouts between the two clubs.
Panthers Sign Second-Rounder Greg Little
The Panthers have signed second-round pick Greg Little, according to a team announcement. With that, the Panthers have just one unsigned draft pick remaining in first-round defensive end Brian Burns. 
The Panthers traded up in the second round of the NFL Draft to land the Ole Miss product and he may be on track for the starting left tackle job in 2019. The Panthers used Taylor Moton on the blindside last season, but GM Marty Hurney‘s preference is to have Moton play right tackle. Daryl Williams is still in the mix for a spot on the right side of the line, but the club appears prepared to pencil in Little as its starting LT.
The 6’5″, 310-pound lineman started in all 12 games last year at left tackle and was named a Second-Team All-American by multiple outlets. Thanks in large part to Little, Ole Miss had the best offense in the SEC and finished fifth in the nation in passing offense with 346.4 yards per game.
With prototypical size for the tackle position, Little could be one of the league’s most successful rookies this season.
Will Panthers Cut Torrey Smith?
- Torrey Smith has already has taken a $2MM pay cut to stay with the Panthers, but the club could release him this offseason and charge ahead with younger wide receivers, David Newton of ESPN.com writes. D.J. Moore projects as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, Curtis Samuel figures to serve as the No. 2 WR, and new addition Chris Hogan seems primed for a big role. Even after the pay cut, a Smith release could save the Panthers $2MM with just $1MM left in dead money.
Josh McCown Retires From NFL
After 17 years in the NFL, Josh McCown is calling it a career. On Monday, the longtime QB bid farewell to the game in a post on The Player’s Tribune. 
“At the end of the day, no matter what team I was on, I tried to serve it to the best of my ability, and I tried to influence my team in a positive manner. I hope I did that,” McCown wrote. “And I made sure that when my number was called, I was prepared, and I gave it everything I had, every time. I may not have turned out to be the franchise quarterback I set out to be back at Cardinals rookie camp, but I’m extremely proud of the career I had.”
McCown didn’t become the face of the Cardinals as he had hoped, but he did enjoy nearly two decades in the NFL while spending time with ten different teams. His journey also included a pit stop in the UFL in 2010, a deal that almost didn’t come to pass when the Bears offered him a contract. Remarkably, McCown declined the opportunity in Chicago and stuck it out with the Hartford Colonials. He later said that the notion of bailing on the commitment “didn’t sit well” with him and he didn’t want to set a bad example for his children in which he would give his “word to somebody until something better comes along and then break that.”
McCown had some memorable moments on the field throughout his career, but he will largely be remembered for his high-character, intense work ethic, and willingness to help groom younger quarterbacks. After starting 13 games for the Jets in 2017, McCown put his ego aside and agreed to return to New York as a mentor for rookie Sam Darnold. Now, McCown will continue to put his football wisdom and knowledge to good use, either as a broadcaster or coach.
Panthers Want To Sign James Bradberry
Count Panthers head coach Ron Rivera among those who’d like to see cornerback James Bradberry signed long-term.
It’s pretty easy to surmise that Rivera is talking about former cornerback Josh Norman, who left the organization following a messy contract dispuit. Since then, Bradberry has been one of the lone consistencies among Panthers defensive backs, so it only makes sense that the coaching staff would want to keep him around. The 25-year-old is heading into the final season of his rookie contract.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/12/19
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived from injured reserve: WR Mose Frazier
Chicago Bears
- Waived: K Chris Blewitt
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: CB Jalin Burrell (non-football illness)
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on non-football injury list: LB Chase Hansen
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers: CB Montrel Meander
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/11/19
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Sione Teuhema
- Waived: DT T.J. Barnes
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers: TE Pharoah McKever (from Jaguars)
New York Jets
- Released: TE Neal Sterling
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Chad Hansen
- Waived: CB David Simmons
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: WR Montay Crockett
- Signed: CB Isaiah Langley
- Waived: CB Makinton Dorleant
- Waived: CB Montrel Meander
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DB Ashton Lampkin
- Waived: LB DeMarquis Gates
Latest On Cam Newton’s Recovery
Cam Newton is set to make another major step in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. Max Henson of the team’s website writes that the Panthers franchise quarterback will participate in quarterback drills during the team’s upcoming three-day minicamp.
“This is all part of the rehab process,” said head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion. “Cam has worked extremely hard this offseason with his rehabilitation and his preparation.
“He’s going to continue the throwing program Tuesday and we’ll advance it as we monitor his progress. He’s achieved every milestone we’ve set out for him so far in preparation for this.”
Shortly after the 2018 season came to an end, Newton underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his throwing shoulder. There’s been plenty of optimism that the quarterback would be ready for training camp. We learned in early May that his rehab was “unbelievable,” and we last heard that Newton was throwing a regulation-size football at the end of May. During the upcoming minicamp, Newton will be executing a “limited number of throws to stationary targets,” and it sounds like he probably won’t participate in team drills.
The Panthers started the 2018 campaign with a 6-2 record, but everything went downhill when Newton popped up on the injury report with his shoulder issue. The team went 1-7 the rest of the way, and Newton was shut down for the final two games of the season. Despite the injury, Newton’s numbers were still impressive; he ultimately finished the campaign having completed a career-high 67.9-percent of his passes for 3,395 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The 30-year-old also ran for 488 yards and four touchdowns on 101 carries.
If Newton takes a step back and is forced to miss any time, Taylor Heinicke, Kyle Allen, or rookie Will Grier would temporarily step up as the team’s number-one quarterback.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/5/19
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Nate Becker, DT L.T. Walton
- Waived: TE Moral Stephens, DT Quindarius Thagard
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Javien Elliott
- Waived: G Brendan Mahon
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Taj McGowan
- Waived: DL Khairi Clark
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S Trae Elston
- Waived: LB B.J. Bello
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/4/19
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: WR Mose Frazier
Chicago Bears
- Waived: OL Tommy Doles
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Nico Siragusa
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: DL Lyndon Johnson
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: CB Tyler Horton
New York Giants
- Signed: OLB Keion Adams
- Waived/Injured: OLB Jeremiah Harris