Skip to content

Malcolm Jenkins: Eagles players weren't surprised by LeSean McCoy trade

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The early offseason trade that sent LeSean McCoy from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for young linebacker Kiko Alonso was the first of many deals that got the new league year started in exciting fashion.

Philadelphia parting ways with its star running back may have taken the majority of the NFL world by surprise, but the same can't be said for those inside the Eagles' locker room.

Appearing on NFL Network's "NFL AM" on Wednesday, veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins explained that based on an understanding of head coach Chip Kelly and what he looks for in a running back, the players weren't as shocked as one might assume.

"For everybody who is in the locker room and really knows Chip and what he's looking for, it wasn't necessarily surprising," Jenkins said.  You look at the style of runner that Chip wants in his offense and even though Shady is one of the best backs in the league, he's not necessarily what Chip is looking for all the time."

Player-for-player trades are rare in today's NFL, and as Jenkins went on to explain, the surprise within the Eagles' organization was more about the lack of draft picks received for McCoy's talents than it was the deal occurring at all.

"In the locker room a lot of guys weren't surprised by the trade, what we were more surprised of was that it was just a player-for-player trade. I think everybody thought we would have gotten more - Kiko, plus a couple draft picks, you know, somebody else."

The winning side in this blockbuster trade won't be known for years to come, but it's clear both the Eagles players - and now the rest of the NFL - are well aware of Kelly's philosophies and willingness to make even the most unconventional of moves in improving his team.

Still yet to win a playoff game in two seasons at the helm, Kelly's methods will soon have to result in postseason success if he's to continue receiving the benefit of the doubt.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox