Report: Philadelphia Eagles tried to trade for Buffalo Bills RB LeSean McCoy in 2016

The football world realized what a grave mistake the Philadelphia Eagles made when they traded star running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2015 season. Apparently, the Eagles did too.

Sources told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News that during the 2016 offseason the Eagles had an “off-the-books offer for McCoy comprised of a package of players that included wide receiver Jordan Matthews.”

Ironically, Philadelphia dealt Matthews to Buffalo the following year in a separate deal, but at the time, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was attempting to subdue some of the effects stemming from the various baffling player moves made by former head coach Chip Kelly, including dealing Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, native McCoy to the Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso in a one-for-one deal.

McCoy, who the Eagles took in the second round of the 2009 draft, put up the first 1000-yard rushing season of his career in his second year. He went on to add three more in his six seasons with the Eagles, also accompanied by two All-Pro nominations and three Pro Bowl nods.

It was originally reported that McCoy was not pleased when he got traded to Buffalo, but to his credit, it’s hard to argue that the running back has looked anything but appreciative playing for the Bills – The Players’ Tribune published a letter Friday from the running back expressing his admiration for Bills fans (Bills Mafia).

Since arriving in Buffalo in 2015, McCoy has been named to the last three Pro Bowls. He’s rushed for over 1000 yards the last two seasons, and most likely would have done the same his first year with the team had he not missed four games because of injury. No question McCoy was a big part of the reason why the Bills were able to end its long and well noted 17-year playoff drought in 2017.

Through nine seasons in the league, McCoy has built quite the resume. This past season he became a member of the illustrious 10,000-yard rushing club. His career total currently stands at 10,092 with 66 touchdowns.

Here’s a live look at what it must have looked like in Philadelphia after the initial trade. No wonder they wanted him back.

The Eagles are playing in the Super Bowl this weekend but Alonso was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2016.