Raiders sign veteran DT Gerald McCoy

UPDATE: The Raiders announced they signed McCoy.

A week into training camp, and the Las Vegas Raiders are taking a look at a veteran defensive presence.

Field Yates of ESPN reported on Wednesday that the Raiders are hosting defensive tackle Gerald McCoy for a visit.

McCoy, 33, didn’t play in 2020. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys, but he ruptured his quadriceps and was released in August.

After fully recovering, he is now getting some interest. McCoy was superstar for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2010-18. He started all 16 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2019 and registered five sacks.

Sources told Silver and Black Pride that the Raiders’ interest in McCoy isn’t an indictment on their current roster of defensive tackles, where they added four players in the offseason.

But Las Vegas coach Jon Gruden values the three technique position and McCoy has a long history of success. Gruden always is interested in adding accomplished veterans. Plus, the Raiders feel like McCoy is a good fit for new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s system.