Cowboys release Gerald McCoy after season-ending injury

The Cowboys ended up releasing Gerald McCoy

Gerald McCoy is a six-time Pro Bowler who signed a deal with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason after spending one year with the Carolina Panthers. The veteran defender played in all 16 games last season after leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and landed on a contender in 2020.

Then came the news that McCoy suffered a season-ending injury. The Cowboys initially said he would stay around to help the team, but he was ultimately released Tuesday.

Gerald McCoy still in the Cowboys plans, just not this year

This appears to be strictly a financial move. McCoy’s contract was for three years and $18.3 million. However, there was a waiver in the deal that protected the team if he injured his quad. That allowed the Cowboys to release him and offer a new deal in 2021.

McCoy at least gets to keep his $3 million bonus in this scenario. The team did not fight that and both sides are set up for a peaceful reunion next season.

McCoy had five sacks with the Panthers last season and appeared to be back to his old ways. The 32-year-old has been a regular on the field since joining the league in 2010 and the fewest games he has ever played in a season came back in 2011 when he only appeared in six games. He has played in at least 13 games every other year.

This is a tough blow for the Cowboys, but not one that derails the season. Everson Griffen, Dontari Poe, and Aldon Smith stand out as intriguing new additions, while DeMarcus Lawrence remains the headliner up front on defense.

At first it appeared the Cowboys had done McCoy dirty after saying they would keep him, only to let him go. Instead, he keeps his bonus and should be back in 2021 assuming he can get healthy once again.