B/R views retaining LeSean McCoy as Buffalo Bills off-season regret

The Buffalo Bills are keeping one of their best players of the past five years on the roster; Bleacher Report sees that as regretful.

The Buffalo Bills did a lot to address the running back position in the 2019 off-season. The team brought in Frank Gore, T.J. Yeldon, Senorise Perry, Christian Wade (NFL International) in free agency, then drafted the coveted Devin Singletary in the third-round. But many don’t think it’s enough, as some view releasing LeSean McCoy as an obvious decision to be made.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox agrees with this notion. Recently, the analyst wrote an article looking for each teams NFL’s biggest regret of the off-season. For the Bills, Knox listed retaining McCoy, as he explains their abundance of new talent and cap hit as reasons why. He told his thought process, saying;

"Not only is McCoy an expensive option, but he’s also clearly lost a step as a runner. He averaged a mere 3.2 yards per carry in 2018, and his longest run of the season was 28 yards— a career low.In addition, the Bills added T.J. Yeldon and Frank Gore in free agency. They also drafted Devin Singletary in Round 3. The Bills don’t need McCoy in their backfield and, at least from a financial standpoint, they’re likely to regret keeping him around at his current price tag."

Tabbing McCoy as a cut candidate is far from a bold take. Last year was, by all means, his worst season as a pro — he had career lows in YPC (3.2), rushing yardage (514), and scrimmage touchdowns (3). He’ll be entering the 2019 season on a year deal with a $9 million cap hit — $2.6 million of it guaranteed, per Over The Cap. 

McCoy isn’t the same player who he used to be. He’s on a pricey contract, and at 30 years old, there’s no guarantee he’ll be better. Nonetheless, retaining a back that’s had three Pro-Bowl seasons in four years shouldn’t be viewed as a regret.

Though McCoy’s contract is 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 centered their 2019 off-season around giving Josh Allen the pieces he needs to flourish. Both the offensive line and pass-catching groups are improved, and with a bevy of new running backs on board, McCoy’s position is too. But, again, the Bills should be keeping and adding offensive talent, not losing it.

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; considering he’ll play behind a solid offensive line — unlike last year –, and is healthy, it very well could be.

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 other promising options on the roster. Though keeping him isn’t cheap, the Bills can more than afford it at the moment. If he doesn’t work out, he’ll be a free agent next spring.