Gerald McCoy: Winston is the new face of the Bucs

Gerald McCoy is handing the keys to Jameis Winston.

McCoy, the second overall pick in 2010, says his time as the face of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is over and it's time for the young quarterback to take control.

"You guys are used to seeing me do things a certain way," McCoy told reporters Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. "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, OK?' Our quarterback said this is what he needs, so this is what I'm going to do."

The 28-year-old defensive tackle revealed he and Winston had a private conversation to officially pass the torch, once passed to him by Buccaneers legendary cornerback Ronde Barber.

"(I'm) passing the torch. Ronde gave me the torch. I didn't ask him for it. He passed it to me," said McCoy. "So, 'Here you go, Jameis. Go take us to the Super Bowl."

Winston led the Bucs to a 6-10 record in his rookie season on the way to his Pro Bowl debut, throwing for 4,042 yards and 22 touchdowns.