The LeSean McCoy trade is just as bad 10 years later

Chip Kelly tried to be the smartest guy in the room and fell flat on his face.

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most savvy franchises in the NFL under the leadership of general manager Howie Roseman, routinely coming out ahead in most of their transactions. Whether it’s draft trades or free-agent signings, the Eagles just seem to have a knack for nailing it under the current regime. But there were also a number of tumultuous times with Roseman, and even an instance of a head coach completely usurping power back before the 2015 season. You know who I’m talking about: the infamous Chip Kelly.

It’s been 10 years since the Kelly fiasco and a flurry of moves that were not well regarded among the fanbase. Perhaps one of the most notable and infuriating moves was the LeSean McCoy/Kiko Alonso trade prior to the start of free agency in 2015. I’m sure there are a lot of takes about the optics of that trade, but what about the actual outcome? Did the Eagles or Bills actually come out ahead when the dust cleared? Let’s investigate.

Original terms of the LeSean McCoy/Kiko Alonso trade

• Eagles receive: LB Kiko Alonso
• Bills receive: RB LeSean McCoy

How was Kiko Alonso’s performance for the Eagles?

Kiko Alonso was traded to the Eagles in March of 2015 after spending a season on the NFI (Non-Football Injury) list in Buffalo. Alonso had turned heads as a rookie in 2013, finishing second in the voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately, Alonso never broke through as anything more than a rotational/subpackage player for Philadelphia, managing just 55% of the snaps in 11 games played (1 start) in 2015.

Alonso’s true value was likely his contribution to a major trade-up the following season. The Eagles sent pick 13 in the 2016 NFL Draft along with Alonso and cornerback Byron Maxwell to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for pick 8. That pick would be packaged with a number of other assets in a massive move up to the second overall pick, which the Eagles used to select quarterback Carson Wentz.

How was LeSean McCoy’s performance for the Bills?

LeSean McCoy was traded to the Bills coming off two of his best seasons from 2013-2014, including an All-Pro selection in 2013 and Pro Bowl honors in both years. To see him traded straight-up for a young linebacker with just one (admittedly very intriguing) season of production to his name was a big shock at the time–and an unpopular move to be sure. Initially I thought this trade was executed for salary cap reasons, as McCoy’s five-year, $45 million deal made him one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL. That doesn’t seem to be the case, as the Eagles immediately turned around and paid DeMarco Murray a five-year, $40 million deal which was just $1 million/year cheaper.

McCoy would go on to play four seasons with the Bills, including three Pro Bowl honors from 2015-2017 as the team’s starting running back. McCoy was still largely excellent, and even achieved a career-high in yards per carry during the 2016 season at 5.4. The Bills were largely middling over McCoy’s time in Buffalo, but that wasn’t due to McCoy. In fact, he operated as the engine of a run-heavy offense that routinely ranked in the bottom-three of the NFL in passing. McCoy was eventually released following training camp in 2019, where he went on to join the Kansas City Chiefs.

Who won the LeSean McCoy/Kiko Alonso trade between the Eagles and the Bills?

This one is relatively cut and dried, as the Buffalo Bills got the better end of the deal in this particular trade. LeSean McCoy remained a very effective running back for another 3-4 years, continuing to provide top-level production for Buffalo over the length of his contract. Sure, he was expensive for a running back, but his play matched his price and he was a key cog in a run-heavy offense that absolutely depended on him.

The Eagles got almost nothing out of Kiko Alonso on the field, although they did manage to flip him along with some other assets in a big trade-up for Carson Wentz. That’s a good way to maximize value on a player who didn’t do much for you, but it’s not enough to move the needle significantly.

Looking back at this trade, it still strikes me as incredibly odd as an outside observer. Chip Kelly was obviously a very controversial coach in Philadelphia, and this move absolutely soured fan sentiment towards him. Again, another bizarre move. It also made little sense from an on-field or salary cap perspective, as the Eagles promptly turned around and signed another running back.DeMarco Murray was a massive downgrade from McCoy and spent just one year with the Eagles before being traded away to the Titans.

This one was just a big self-inflicted wound for Philadelphia, and I’m sure it’s even more frustrating for fans to remember. Meanwhile, Buffalo got a major contributor for the better part of four seasons in exchange for a promising young linebacker who ultimately didn’t return the same value for the Eagles. Buffalo comes out well ahead in this trade.