McCoy: 'I am a Buccaneer forever and I will be back'

Gerald McCoy's time as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has come to an end, but he vows he'll be back.

In an Instagram post shared Wednesday, two days after the team announced a mutual agreement to part ways, McCoy thanked his fans and the only team he has known through nine NFL seasons.

"I am a Buccaneer forever and I will be back. I will retire as a Buc," the 31-year-old said before signing off.

The six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle is now free to sign elsewhere. Tampa, meanwhile, is reportedly finalizing a one-year deal with free-agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Suh was selected second overall in the 2010 draft, one pick ahead of McCoy.