Freddie Kitchens of Browns on Gerald McCoy opting for the Panthers: "We want people who want to be here"

BEREA, Ohio – Freddie Kitchens was optimistic last week that the Browns would land Gerald McCoy and help the Browns reach their lofty goals.

Instead, he opted for the Panthers instead of the Browns and Ravens after his visit Friday and his weekend take to think about the three offers.

"I'm just going to shoot you," Kitchens said after Tuesday's minicamp. "We want people who want to be here. We want people who want to be here for the right reasons. Gerald made the best decision that, in his opinion, was best for him and his family. I wish Gerald nothing but the best. If there is a reservation, we do not want anyone to be here.

"We do not want reservations to try to convince someone to come here. What we are about to do is not for everyone. What we will try to do is not for everyone. It will take a lot of work and then we will see where we are. That's all. "

McCoy, who traveled to Cleveland on May 23 and 24, signed a one – year contract with the Panthers worth about $ 8 million, matched with the $ 25,000. incentives that can bring him up to $ 10.25 million.

But the Panthers offer him a chance to stick to his former Bucs team twice a year, an opportunity that has just given his old number 93 to his replacement, Ndamukong Suh.