LeSean McCoy thanks Buffalo fans in Instagram message
By Dave Holcomb
In the social media age, it’s much easier for players to directly communicate clearly with their fans. However, the message Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy delivered Sunday is still very unclear.
On Sunday morning at about 10:45 ET, Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy posted a video of himself signing a picture for a fan at an autograph signing. The caption read “Buffalo was so special … thanks for everything.”
Comments on the Instagram post have already begun speculating that McCoy is out in Buffalo, and that he could return to Philadelphia, but there is absolutely nothing definitive yet. Despite the caption being cryptic at best, Buffalo hasn’t made any announcement.
According to NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal, the Bills could save $6.25 million if they release McCoy before June 1. The NFL reporter noted that money could be reallocated to fixing the defense.
UPDATE: Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, McCoy is still with the Bills and has not been released. The post is likely in reference to an autograph signing, although Florio notes that there is still a chance McCoy plays elsewhere in 2017.
As far as replacing McCoy, the Bills had capable backup Mike Gillislee last season, but he is a restricted free agent this offseason. He will need to be signed to another deal, but it would likely be significantly less than $6.25 million. Gillislee rushed for 577 yards and eight touchdowns while leading all qualified backs with a 5.7 yards per carry average.
It’s also important to note that the Bills have a solid offensive line. Pro Football Focus ranked the Buffalo line 11th-best in the NFL during the 2016 season. Following in the footsteps of the Dallas Cowboys, the Bills could try saving money at running back and just counting on its strong line to produce rushing yards.
Of course, Dallas gave up on its Darren McFadden-Joseph Randle experiment after just one season and dedicated the No. 4 pick to drafting Ezekiel Elliott.
McCoy rushed for 1,267 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2016. He also averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Buffalo led the league with 164.4 rushing yards per week, which was nearly 15 yards per game more than Dallas, who was ranked second.
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In eight NFL seasons, six in Philadelphia and two in Buffalo, McCoy has rushed for 8,954 yards and 60 touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He will be 29 in July.