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Everything you need to know about the McCoy-Alonso trade

Bill Streicher / USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills have rocked the NFL off-season, acquiring running back LeSean McCoy in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso.

Need to Know

  • The Bills wasted no time addressing McCoy's desire for a new contract, agreeing to terms on a five-year pact worth a reported $40 million. Approximately $26.5 million of that is guaranteed.
  • McCoy's relationship with Eagles head coach Chip Kelly became strained last season, according to former All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson. McCoy felt like the Eagles weren't committed to him in their offense, and wasn't expecting to return to Philadelphia in 2015. 
  • The trade appears to make sense for both sides, with the rushing-starved Bills acquiring a premier rushing talent still in his prime and the Eagles securing the services of one of the top young linebackers in football at a much lower cost. 

Further Reading

  • ESPN's Phil Sheridan believes the deal is a sign that the Eagles are now Chip Kelly's team, saying "the picture has become much more complete. Kelly isn't just kicking back in his big office chair. He's remaking the Eagles' roster in the image that has formed in his mind." [ESPN]
  • Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Inquirer says fans should get over what they may have thought of McCoy: "A lot of Eagles fans think of McCoy as he was or is. In a salary-cap league of abbreviated playing careers ... Kelly has to think of McCoy as he will be." [Philadelphia Inquirer]
  • Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo News says the Bills are all in for 2015: "(Head coach Rex) Ryan believes you win with a dominant, attacking defense and a strong running game. They gave a little on defense here, but just added one of the top running back in the league." [Buffalo News]
  • Former running back Clinton Portis told NFL AM that the Bills are the clear winners of the trade. "I don't see Kiko Alonso turning out to be a J.J. Watt or a Ray Lewis, just dominating this conference. This is a trade I really don't understand. I don't think this is an even deal" [NFL.com]
  • NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal took a more measured approach than Portis, suggesting that Alonso, Ryan, Bills fans and the Eagles' salary cap are all winners - and that McCoy, McCoy jersey owners and veteran Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans are all losers. [NFL.com]

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