As it turns out, the Eagles didn’t approach running back LeSean McCoy regarding a possible pay cut because the Eagles had other plans for McCoy. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Eagles will trade McCoy to the Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso.
The agreement can’t be finalized until the start of the new league year, next Tuesday. In theory, either side can back out until the clock strikes 4:00 p.m. ET on March 10 and the paperwork is submitted.
It’s unclear whether other compensation will be involved. For now, it appears to be a straight-up deal, player for player.
McCoy is due to earn $10.25 million in 2015. Alonso, a second-round pick in 2013 who missed all of 2014 due to an offseason ACL tear, is due to earn a base salary of only $745,000.
Despite a slow start last season, McCoy rushed for 1,319 yards. It’s unclear whether the Bills will attempt to restructure or extend his contract. It’s also unclear whether McCoy will welcome the change of scenery from Philly to Buffalo.
The move underscores the willingness of the Bills to spend big in an effort to parlay their 9-7 finish in 2014 into the team’s first playoff appearance since 1999. From Philly’s perspective, the trade makes it abundantly clear that coach Chip Kelly runs the show -- and that there are no sacred cows. Last year, DeSean Jackson got the heave-ho; this year, LeSean McCoy gets a one-way ticket out of town.
It also reunites Alonso with the man who recruited him to Oregon. Which will serve only to fuel speculation that Kelly plans to do whatever it takes to get the quarterback he recruited to Oregon.
