TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended any doubts about the future of Rich McKay on Thursday by signing their general manager to a six-year contract extension.
Financial terms were not disclosed. McKay had one year left on a contract that will pay him $1.8 million this year.
The announcement comes three days after the Bucs ended their prolonged search for a coach by prying Jon Gruden away from the Oakland Raiders on Monday and signing him to a five-year contract.
There was speculation that McKay often was undermined during the search and was interested in moving elsewhere.
"We're going to go forward as we did in the past," McKay said. "I'm pretty comfortable that it worked out pretty well."
McKay is entering his 11th season with the Buccaneers and his eighth as general manager. Under his leadership, Tampa Bay has had 35 Pro Bowl selections since 1995.
Prior to his arrival as general manager, the Buccaneers had just 18 total Pro Bowl selections in the club's first 20 seasons.
"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have flourished under the leadership of general manager Rich McKay," Bucs vice president Bryan Glazer said. "We are extremely excited about the unlimited possibilities that exist for the future of this franchise with Rich McKay as our general manager and Jon Gruden as our head coach."
The Bucs tried to hire Gruden, who had one year left on his contract with the Raiders, last month, but were unable to put together a compensation package to the liking of Oakland owner Al Davis until Monday.
Before hiring Gruden, McKay and the Bucs also were jilted by Bill Parcells and talked to Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis and San Francisco 49ers coach Steve Mariucci.
McKay admitted to talking with the Atlanta Falcons about their vacancy before staying put.
"I asked for permission to talk to Atlanta but I never said 'fire me' or 'get rid of me.'" said McKay, who has been tied to the franchise since his father was the team's first coach.
The Bucs made the playoffs four of the last five seasons on the strength of a strong defense. But they never made it to the Super Bowl, prompting the firing of coach Tony Dungy.
