Philadelphia Eagles: Passing on LeSean McCoy was the right call
Maybe next year, Philadelphia Eagles fans.
Welp, it’s official: LeSean McCoy will not be back with the Philadelphia Eagles this fall.
That’s right, after months of speculation over whether or not Howie Roseman would right Chip Kelly’s most egregious mistake, the Eagles’ all-time leading rusher has found a new home alongside Tom Brady in Tampa Bay in Bruce Arians’ high flying offense.
And frankly, this deal is the best possible outcome for all parties involved.
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For McCoy, the fit is obvious. After playing a backseat role with the Kansas City Cheifs low-lighted by a DNP in the Super Bowl, McCoy has a chance to compete with the likes of Dare Ogunbowale and Ronald Jones II for a starting role; a role he should win and win commandingly. McCoy gets a chance to chase another championship, play a dynamic role in a high-flying offense, and inch closer to his goal of rushing for 12,000 career yards while netting a tight million for his efforts
And as for the Eagles? Well, they can finally close this round of speculation once and for all… at least until next spring.
While it would have been exhilarating to see McCoy sport a midnight green pinny for one final South Philly run, it’s hard to identify what exact role he’d be filling in Doug Pederson‘s offense. The Eagles already have Miles Sanders locked in as their RB1 and if Duce Staley’s recent comments about wanting to “Unleash Miles Sanders” are of any indication, he’s going to receive more touches this fall, not less. McCoy isn’t a bruiser, he isn’t an elite pass protector, and it’s hard to imagine him taking targets away from Boston Scott as a receiver out of the backfield.
At best, McCoy would have served as an upgrade over Corey Clement as the Eagles’ utility backup, a far from featured role that will receive a fraction of the carries available in Tampa Bay.
While the idea of the Philadelphia Eagles adding another running back to their current stable is far from controversial, the type of player deemed a suitable fit is a hot topic of debate. Some want a bigger power back to replace LeGarrette Blount‘s role from 2017, while others would prefer a player like Devonta Freeman who can serve as a 1b to Sanders’ 1a in a run-heavy three-headed monster alongside Scott.
But do you know what the Eagles definitely don’t need? A 32-year-old running back who still thinks it’s 2013.
Next. Is it time to bring in Devonta Freeman?. dark
If LeSean McCoy wants to continue on with his NFL career Frank Gore-style, he’ll eventually need to accept a part-time role as a change of pace back. With that being said, it’s okay if 2020 isn’t that season. By joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now, McCoy has a chance to compete for a starting role in arguably the worst running backs unit in the NFL; a role that wasn’t available to him with the Philadelphia Eagles. *sigh* there’s always 2021.