The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are saying goodbye to defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, after the team was unable to find a suitor willing to acquire his massive $13 million cap hit over three years. McCoy has been in the league for nine years, and has only known the Buccaneers, but that will soon change, as someone will definitely pick him up.

McCoy has become one of the league's strongest interior pass rushers. He's managed to record 54.5 sacks in his career, and three seasons with over 20 quarterback hits. McCoy continues to show his disruptive power season after season.

McCoy has the talent but can't find the right suitor

Despite his strength and production numbers, the Bucs failed to find a trade partner for McCoy after spending months shopping around the high-impact player. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs have already told McCoy that he will be released into free agency. Newly hired head coach Bruce Arians, had also deemed his salary too costly for the team.

McCoy, who has recorded a combined 12 sacks and 45 QB hits in the past two seasons, should have no trouble finding a suitor. While he may be getting closer to the end of his career, a new contract and continued production would be a smart decision for many teams.

The Cleveland Browns have become one of the teams who were previously tied to trade rumors. While they already have a strong defensive line made up of Sheldon Richardson, Olivier Vernon, Myles Garrett and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, McCoy would strengthen the defensive line that much more.

Cleveland among the teams rumored to be linked to McCoy sweepstakes

McCoy is a six-time Pro Bowler and if Cleveland made a move for him, the Browns would have an incredibly strong team both on offense and defense, as well as a secondary that boasts young corners Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams.

It won't take long for McCoy to be pulled out of free agency, and while Tampa Bay is now left questioning their defensive line, this was a smart move.

Cutting McCoy saves the team $13 million in cap space over the next three years, and it does not cost the Buccaneers any type of cap penalty, because the nine-year defensive star had no remaining guaranteed money on his contract.

The Buccaneers may have possibly made a big mistake sending him away. Right now, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul suffered an injury that will keep him out for a major portion of the upcoming season.

This is a defense that struggled last season and ended up dead last defensively. Arians had said that McCoy is a good player but he's not as disruptive as he was four years ago.

Adam Schefter has mentioned that McCoy could be willing to take a salary cut in order to join a strong playoff contender like the Patriots. McCoy would be a serious upgrade at the position. McCoy and Michael Bennett would become one of the league's most dangerous pass rush.