Buffalo Bills: The 2-year anniversary of the trade for LeSean McCoy
By Connor Price
When the Buffalo Bills traded Kiko Alonso for LeSean McCoy, they started a rivalry without knowing it.
It all started May 3, 2015 when LeSean McCoy was traded to the Buffalo Bills for a young linebacker, Kiko Alonso. Recently, that rivalry has picked back up.
The trade talks for the two reportedly took 20 minutes from start to finish. This was a blockbuster deal at the time, with McCoy in the prime of his career and Alonso a rising star. Eagles coach, Chip Kelly, pulled the trigger and executed the trade on May 10, 2015 when the new league year opened.
This was a very controversial trade with a lot of salary being moved around, but it was inked and everyone moved on.
Did they really move on, though?
As the two year anniversary of the blockbuster trade comes and goes, one of the players decided to throw a little more gas in the fire.
Kiko Alonso posted this picture on Instagram on April 9th:
The picture shows Kiko Alonso (47) laying a hit on LeSean McCoy (25).
LeSean McCoy obvioysly took offence to this and even commented on the photo:
“Boy ya dad wish u was as good as me…
n ya new contract garbage lol my 2011 money”
He then followed up moments after commenting:
“Take me off ya page u BUM”
These comments are still on Alonso’s page and have not been taken off by either party.
The contract he was referring to was the new one that Alonso signed this year, a 3-year/$29 million deal with his current team, the Miami Dolphins.
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McCoy Doubles Down
Where do you go when you have a hot take and would like to discuss it on a national media outlet?
First Take, of course
The Bill’s running back went on first take on April 27, 2017 to discuss his words and dropped another bomb on Alonso. McCoy said:
“His dad probably wished I was his son”
That’s the big one.
Where Are They Now?
Okay, this was just two years ago, and obviously McCoy remains on the Buffalo Bills or else I wouldn’t be writing this article, but Alonso is now with the Miami Dolphins and had a very good season in a contract year.
According to Pro Football Focus, LeSean McCoy tied for the most runs of 15 yards or more last season with 22.
In the two years since the trade, McCoy has rushed for 2,162 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Kiko Alonso had 7.9 tackling attempts per missed tackle last season, earning the 31/41 rank of all inside linebackers
Alonso has 158 total tackles the last two years with 115 of those coming from last year.
Both players have impressed and are now on separate paths, but will be forever intertwined because of the trade.
Who will make the next move?
We might have to wait until December 17 and 31st when the two teams face off in weeks 15 and 17 games. These could be two games that’ll be pivotal in either team hoping to make the playoffs. The two inter-division teams will always have chippy games and there has always been story lines intertwining the two teams.
One thing is for certain, Alonso and McCoy will be forever linked because of this deal.
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What do you think of LeSean McCoy’s comments towards Kiko Alonso? Leave your thoughts below!