Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has signed a seven-year extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth $98 million, making McCoy the highest-paid player at his position.
McCoy, a 2013 All-Pro, will get $51.5 million guaranteed, the most ever given to a defensive tackle in NFL history. His new deal will average $14 million per year.
Including his current salary for 2014, McCoy would make $111 million over the eight-year period.
The deal was concluded Saturday by McCoy’s agent, Ben Dogra, and Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.
“Gerald is extremely excited to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he is especially thankful to Bucs owners, coaches, and Jason Licht for working so hard throughout the process,” Dogra said.
McCoy is in his fifth NFL season and comes off his best year, when he had 9 1/2 sacks and 35 tackles. He is considered the anchor of Tampa Bay’s rebuilding defense.
The Buccaneers (1-5) have struggled this year, allowing 204 points, the most in the league. But McCoy is among the league’s best defensive tackles, often drawing double teams. He has played part of this season with a cast on his broken left hand.
Now, McCoy has long-term security in Tampa and can begin working on getting the Bucs into the postseason, something he has never experienced.
“That’s eating away at me, man,” the 6-foot-4, 300-pound McCoy said this summer. “I do all this training and preparing, trying to do what I can for my team for us to get to the playoffs. I just want to experience it.”
DT Mosley suspended by Lions
LONDON — Detroit defensive tackle C.J. Mosley was sent home from London on Saturday and suspended by the Lions for an unspecified violation of team rules.
Detroit said in a release that Mosley engaged in detrimental conduct and is suspended for two weeks. The Lions faced the Atlanta Falcons in London on Sunday, then Detroit has a weekend off.
Mosley will be eligible to return for the Nov. 9 game against Miami.
Detroit put Mosley on the reserve-suspended by club list. The team signed safety Jerome Couplin from the practice squad.
The 31-year-old Mosley has played in all seven games this season for the Lions, with no starts. He has 2 1/2 sacks.
Titans RB Greene arrested
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans running back Shonn Greene was arrested for allegedly parking in a handicapped space and speeding away when an officer was issuing him a citation.
Franklin, Tenn., police Sgt. Charles Warner said Greene surrendered Friday night after being told warrants had been obtained for his arrest.
Warner said Greene was charged with driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, failure to stop/halt/frisk and illegal parking.
Greene was released on $2,000 bond. He is due in court Nov. 13.
Warner said the parking enforcement officer was issuing the citation when Greene approached. He said Greene ignored the officer’s request to see a handicapped placard, got into his 2012 BMW M6 and sped away, nearly striking the officer.
The Titans could not be reached for comment Saturday.
By wire sources