The Buffalo Bills new team member, LeSean McCoy says that the signing of DeMarco Murray by his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, was a ‘panic move.’
LeSean McCoy was moved from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Buffalo Bills earlier this month, and he isn’t bitter about it at all. Well, maybe just a little bit.
McCoy said in an interview on The Rich Eisen Show how much the Murray deal didn’t make sense for the Eagles. It was a “panic move” by the organization. Apparently, the 1,845 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns that the Eagles just got with Murray is panicking.
"“I didn’t understand it,” McCoy said in the interview. “I saw that they originally were trying to get Frank Gore, and he backed out. So then when they got DeMarco and they got Ryan Mathews, I thought it was like a panic move. With that media in Philadelphia, they can get tough on you. So I guess that was just the way to make it right”"
But the truth is that LeSean McCoy’s contract and Chip Kelly’s offense weren’t really working together as much as the Eagles would have liked.
For one, while McCoy’s 40 million dollar deal is about the same as DeMarco Murray’s five year, 42 million dollar deal, he was guaranteed almost 12 million this season. This would have crippled the Eagles cap space, not allowing for the signing of Kiko Alonso. But Murray and Matthews combined are set to make about 4 million less than McCoy this year. A genius way of wiggling out of the salary cap restrictions and getting all the pieces you want for your roster.
More from Buffalo Bills
- NFL rumors: Division rival could steal Dalvin Cook from Dolphins
- Bills RB to miss entire season after freak jet ski accident
- Bills fan hitched the luckiest ride home from Atlanta with Sean McDermott
- 3 best QB-receiver combinations in the NFL for the 2023 season
- 3 Bills who won’t be on the roster after training camp
Also, Chip Kelly’s offense might work better if they have two backs who can average over four yards a carry. Obviously, Murray will be the featured back. But with the addition of Ryan Matthews, the Eagles offense will be one of the scariest in the NFL.
Chip Kelly preaches that in order to score you have to go fast, fast, and faster. Having two backs will allow production to be consistent throughout the game, keeping his star running back fresh and ready to go throughout the game. After all, why would you want 30 carries by Murray going at just 60% when you can have 20 carries with 100% stamina?
Additionally, Chip Kelly’s offensive style is QB proof (it better be is Sam Bradford is throwing the ball). That’s because it requires his running backs to carry a heavy load as a part of the run-option style offense. Having multiple North-South runners like Murray and Matthews give the run-option two guys who can hide Bradford’s flaws.
Maybe Chip knew what he was doing after all. So try and not feel too salty, LeSean. While you are exiting Philadelphia after six phenomenal years, you are entering a Buffalo Bills team who is a playoff contender right out of the gate. It could definitely be much worse. Don’t take organizational moves personally, it may have been made with your best interests in mind.
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