Eagles trade LeSean McCoy to Bills for Kiko Alonso
By Mike Dyce
The Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills made a huge trade, swapping LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso.
NFL free agency is just days away, but some teams are already working on improving their rosters. The Cleveland Browns signed Josh McCown, who was released and available to sign before the free agency period. Then the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles pulled off a blockbuster trade.
The Bills are parting ways with linebacker Kiko Alonso, who is incredibly young and ridiculously talented. He will be a linebacker for a franchise to build around. The Eagles are going to ship off running back LeSean McCoy, one of the best running backs in the league.
Other reporters tweeted out shortly after Schefter confirming the report.
Of course this is interesting for various reasons. Not so many drafts ago the Buffalo Bills took a promising C.J. Spiller out of Clemson. Spiller, along with Fred Jackson, had the makings of an incredible backfield duo. Unfortunately both dealt with injuries preventing the Bills to use them to their full advantage.
More from Atlanta Hawks
- NBA Rumors: 5 best trade destinations for Pascal Siakam
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
- NBA rumors: Raptors insider drops one player mentioned heavily in trade discussions
- 3 disastrous Zach LaVine trades the Bulls need to avoid
- NBA Free Agency Live Deal Tracker: Grading every signing made worst to best
The Bills were reportedly exploring Adrian Peterson, and while there were reports denying that claim, it looks like the Bills were exploring trading for a running back all along. They wound up with a two-time All-Pro who has led the league in rushing yards in 2013 and touchdowns in 2011.
The Eagles on the other hand get a linebacker who missed all of the 2014 season with an injury. In his rookie season he did manage to record four interceptions, two sacks, forced a fumble, recover two fumbles and had 159 total tackles.
If you want to read tea leaves, this could point to Eagles coach Chip Kelly trying to bring in one of his former Oregon players and restructure the offense. Let us also not forget that Alonso is familiar with Chip Kelly, playing his college football at Oregon as well.
Or you can say this points to the value of running backs in the present NFL, that a linebacker who missed the whole season with an injury is more valuable than a running back who lead the league in rushing two seasons ago.
McCoy isn’t even that old, just 26, but he does have six seasons of NFL wear and tear on him.
[UPDATE:] Drew Rosenhaus says there is no trade as of yet.
Next: NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine Edition
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle