McCoy says Buccaneers are now Winston’s team

3:48 PM ET

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take the field for their first training camp practice Thursday morning, there will be a different feel in the air. Aside from an earlier start time and a new head coach in Dirk Koetter, one of the team’s most visible and vocal leaders over the last six seasons — Gerald McCoy — will be quietly stepping aside, giving way to the new face of the franchise, quarterback Jameis Winston.

It’s his huddle now.

“Me and Jameis had a private conversation about what he feels this team needs me to be as a leader,” McCoy explained Wednesday, just after veterans reported. It involved a change in his role within the team and the 28-year-old said he’s ready to embrace it. “You guys are used to seeing me do things a certain way. That’s going to change because the face of the franchise came to me and said, ‘Hey, listen. If we’re going to win, we need you to do this, okay?’ Our quarterback said this is what he needs, so this is what I’m going to do.”

McCoy wouldn’t reveal the exact details of the conversation, but the four-time Pro Bowler, known for his gregarious and animated personality, hinted that he was moving away from the spotlight.

“[I’m] passing the torch. Ronde [Barber] gave me the torch. I didn’t ask him for it. He passed it to me. So, ‘Here you go, Jameis. Go take us to the Super Bowl.'”

There was no grand entrance to camp for McCoy this year — no bathrobe or pajama pants, and the vibrant red streak of hair he sported all last season is gone. Granted, there were no TV cameras or media present for arrivals due a change in reporting times, but even at the podium, he seemed ready to deflect attention. He did, however, show up at the podium wearing a towel over his shorts, but he said that was because he had just gotten out of the cold tub.

“He’s an intelligent guy,” McCoy said of Winston. “Young or not, [he’s] very mature…very intelligent. He …

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