Why LeSean McCoy will play for the Buffalo Bills in 2019

Calls for the Buffalo Bills release of LeSean McCoy have been made, but they won’t be answered.

LeSean McCoy didn’t have the season he imagined in 2018. The Buffalo Bills back had a career-low year across the board, rushing for 514 yards and three touchdowns on an average of 3.2 yards per carry. His down year coupled with his age (30) have given many a reason to project a release, but it probably won’t happen.

The Bills spent their off-season adding to their running back room; signing the ageless Frank Gore and third-down back T.J. Yeldon as well as drafting Devin Singletary in the third-round. The three additions should make the roster, which only increases people’s interest in a potential McCoy release. Yet, none have proved recently that they can be the bell-cow McCoy has been.

McCoy’s contract, which runs out after 2019, is release-friendly. If cut, per Over The Cap, the Bills would save nearly $6.5 million. Though it’s a pricey sum, the Bills are in no need to lose it, as they have roughly $22 million in available cap; but they are in need to retain talent.

The Bills’ 2019 off-season has been centered around giving Josh Allen the pieces he needs to thrive. The offensive line and receiving corps was bolstered, and with the three more running backs on board, McCoy’s position was too. But the Bills should be keeping and adding offensive talent, not losing it.

McCoy admittingly looked bad in 2018; he appeared to lose a step and just wasn’t quite the same. But the same can be said for the entire offense. The back dubbed Shady had to run behind inferior offensive lines and was a center of attention for defenses. In 2019, the same shouldn’t be said.

The line is better; so is every aspect of the roster. Defenses will be forced to play all phases of the Bills’ offense, not just a dead in the water run-game. McCoy will also have high-quality backups behind him. With a better team and supporting cast, Shady will benefit from the offense rather than carry it in 2019.

Just two seasons ago, McCoy was amongst the best in the NFL at his position. He ran for 1,138 yards and six touchdowns on a healthy 4.0 yards per carry — he was named to the Pro-Bowl for the seventh time. The hope is that the same McCoy from before 2018 is still there.

Wishing for progression from a 30-year-old back isn’t good business in the NFL. But, the Bills aren’t relying on it. If McCoy isn’t the same, they have three other promising options on the roster. Though retaining him wouldn’t be cheap, the Bills can more than afford it at the moment.

The hope for 2019 is that the Bills offense improves. They have pieces in place at every position on the roster, including McCoy and the backs. General manager Brandon Beane has spent considerable assets to bolster their attack; though losing an aging star could be negated, they are in no position to lose a player that was amongst the best in the NFL a season prior.

Final verdict: The Buffalo Bills will employ LeSean McCoy in 2019 because they have little need to release him. They have more of a reason to keep him and wish for progression rather than open up cap space for no reason; in turn, making their running back room weaker.