The Dallas Cowboys released defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who had surgery on his broken right quadriceps tendon at the end of the season on Tuesday and will save $ 3.25 million in 2020.
The move does not prevent McCoy from signing again with the Cowboys in the future, but under a new contract.
Under the agreement for the $ 18 million three-year contract that McCoy signed as a free agent in March, there was an injury waiver that would void the future contract for chronic tendonitis in the right knee / quadriceps.
McCoy is allowed to keep his $ 3 million signing bonus, but his base salary of $ 2.5 million will be removed from the books, as will the roster bonuses of $ 750,000. He was slated to make $ 5 million in 2021 with $ 1.5 million guaranteed at the time of signing, and another $ 5.25 million in 2022 with $ 750,000 in roster bonuses per season.
Earlier on Tuesday, Cowboys trainer Mike McCarthy said he assumed McCoy would continue to be on the team during his rehab.
“Actually Gerald, that was part of our conversation, it wasn’t just expressing a wish to be here and be part of what we started here,” said McCarthy. “Obviously he feels very comfortable and here he wants to be. That’s exactly what he told me.”
The roster change came a day after McCoy’s practice ruptured his right quadriceps, an injury that required surgery. 32-year-old McCoy texted ESPN’s Ed Werder on Monday that he intended to maintain a leadership role with the Cowboys.
“I will remain the mentor that I am for the young people and do my part to ensure that this team goes where it is needed,” said McCoy Werder in the text.
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