LeSean McCoy Reportedly Traded to Buffalo Bills
An NFL source has said that LeSean McCoy the starting running back for the Philadelphia Eagles has been traded to the Buffalo Bills.
In return, Buffalo will send Kiko Alonso a linebacker to Philadelphia, said the source.
Until the new NFL year starts on Tuesday March 10, the trade cannot be counted as official. Drew Rosenhaus, McCoy’s agent went on Twitter to say a deal was still not finalized.
Since 1999, when McCoy was drafted in the second round by the Eagles, he has the third most yards rushing in the NFL at 6,792 and the fourth most touchdowns on the ground at 44. Last season, McCoy rushed for 1,319 yards, which was third in the league.
A source close to the running back said the veteran is not happy about the trade.
The source said McCoy is a Pennsylvania boy and has not played football outside the state including in high school, college and now the NFL. The source added that McCoy was frustrated and was making sure the deal would not be made easily.
By trading the talented running back, the Eagles can clear some cap space. McCoy would count almost $12 million against the 2015 cap for the Eagles.
Buffalo will have to pay McCoy $10.25 million during the 2015 season and he is signed through the 2017 season.
The Eagles also released two of their players on Tuesday. Philadelphia let go Trent Cole a defensive end and Cary Williams a cornerback. With Alonso, the Eagles only take on $1 million in the salary cap. He will be eligible for free agency following the 2016 season.
Alonso was drafted in the second round in 2013 and played every Bills defensive snap while a rookie and was ranked No. 3 in the NFL in tackles with 159. He was second in defensive rookie of the year voting that season.
After an ACL tear while training in July of last year, Alonso missed all of the 2014 season.
A source has said that Alonso’s rehab is going very well as he has increased training activities and started to run.
He said he would be 100% by training camp. Alonso will be reunited with Chip Kelly his former coach at Oregon.
Buffalo under new head coach Rex Ryan is expected to have an offensive approach of run first. Ryan brought in Greg Roman as his new offensive coordinator for Buffalo.
Fred Jackson the leading rusher for the Bills last season is 34 and his backup C.J. Spiller will be a free agent beginning next week.
