NFL: 5 Reasons Philadelphia Eagles Made a Mistake Trading LeSean McCoy
The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to trade away running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso.
Make no mistake about it, this is Chip Kelly's team. McCoy is one of the best runners in the league, but the Eagles decided to move on from him.
Here are five reasons the Eagles made a big mistake trading away McCoy:
1. Value
For a player who has 2,926 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns and 80 catches the last two seasons, you would think the Eagles got back a truck load of value in return. They didn't even get back a sedan load of value for McCoy. The Bills only had to give up one linebacker with one playing years worth of experience. Even more shocking, the Eagles didn't even get back a draft pick. Everyone knows that head coach Chip Kelly wants to draft Marcus Mariota (another Oregon player) with the No. 20 selection. Problem here is you just traded away your best trade asset that could have moved you up in the draft.
2. Kiko Alonso?
If the Eagles would have got Mario Williams from the Bills, that would have been great. Maybe even a few draft picks for a running back who was ranked third in rushing yards last season. All the Eagles got back for McCoy was a linebacker who didn't even play last season, Kiko Alonso. Alonso had a good rookie season with 87 tackles but missed all of 2014 because of a torn ACL. Alonso may go onto to be a great player for the Eagles, but he has a long way to go to fill those expectations.
3. Age
The notion that McCoy was this "old aging running back" that the Eagles traded away is laughable. McCoy is just 26 years old, one year younger than DeMarco Murray for some perspective. Running backs don't have a very long shelf life as we all know. But that's reserved for at least 30 years old, not 26. McCoy showed no signs of slowing down whatsoever. He hasn't missed a game the last two seasons, and he's arguably the best dual-threat running back in the league today because of his receiving capabilities.
4. Price Tag
Other than age, some are making the argument that the Eagles made a wise football decision because McCoy was too costly. Hardly the case. McCoy's contract was set up perfectly for the Eagles. It had just three years remaining on it set to expire when he turns 29. McCoy was scheduled to make $8 million per season with the Eagles not exactly "breaking the bank" for one of the best players in the game. For some perspective, Adrian Peterson is set to make over $14 million on average over the next three seasons. A 26-year-old superstar running back like McCoy is worth $8 million for just three more seasons.
5. He's LeSean McCoy!
Sure, the Eagles saved salary cap space, but they're going to need to find a replacement. It's not every often Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Washington Redskins fans can agree on something. For years, McCoy has tormented NFC East teams with incredible runs and yards after the catch. His blazing speed and physical style of play will be extremely hard to replace. With no real reliable quarterback or wide receiver option in Philadelphia, the Eagles have a lot rebuilding to do. By the way, Darren Sproles turns 32 years old in June.
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