Philadelphia Eagles haven’t asked LeSean McCoy to restructure

By Cory Buck | Mar 2, 2015

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs with the ball against the New York Giants in the first quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Sources within the Philadelphia Eagles refuted reports that the team has asked LeSean McCoy to restructure his contract.

LeSean McCoy will count for $11.9 million against the salary cap for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2015 league year, the highest on the team to date. That’s a bit out of whack for an NFL team in 2015 given the depreciating value of the running back position, especially when that running back had a down year from the production the team was used to when signing that deal.

Despite that, and contrary to earlier reports, the team hasn’t asked McCoy to restructure his contract. For now, that is.

Contrary to a report, the #Eagles have NOT approached LeSean McCoy about restructuring his contract, 2 sources close to the situation said.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 2, 2015

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The Eagles tentatively hold about $24 million in cap space at the onset of the March free agency season, which should be enough for them to pick up a few free agents and fill out their roster. Of course, the team could also be trying to stock assets for a run to the top of the draft to select quarterback Marcus Mariota.

That’s one solution to the team’s quandary at quarterback, but for now the team has the cap space to find a solution, which means they would probably be wise to not broach the issue of pushing McCoy’s salary into future years, when his contract would create a bigger issue.

This is the peak year of cap hits in McCoy’s contract and his figure will drop to $8.8 million then $7.8 million on the remaining two years of the five-year $45 million contract he signed with the team. If the Eagles restructure his deal, that $11.9 million hit will just be waiting for them in future years when hopefully the team will have a big-time quarterback to pay high-end money.

It’s always tempting for NFL GMs to do whatever they can to create as much space and improve the roster as much as possible, but the Eagles have to think not just about next season, but the seasons beyond.

If the team keeps McCoy for just one more season, everything about keeping him or releasing him as is becomes much more amenable as far as cap hits and dead money are concerned. That alone is worth biting the bullet and working around his onerous salary this year while hoping his play improves enough to justify future cap hits.

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