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Buffalo Bills: 5 moves that helped the team’s rise out of mediocrity

By Aaron Tully

Dec 10, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball for a touchdown to win the game in overtime against the Indianapolis Colts at New Era Field. Buffalo defeated Indianapolis 13-7 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball for a touchdown to win the game in overtime against the Indianapolis Colts at New Era Field. Buffalo defeated Indianapolis 13-7 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Bills
Dec 10, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball for a touchdown to win the game in overtime against the Indianapolis Colts at New Era Field. Buffalo defeated Indianapolis 13-7 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

The Buffalo Bills were the embodiment of mediocrity in the NFL for all of the 2000’s and most of the 2010’s. The Bills managed just two winning seasons in their 17-year playoff drought, going 9-7 in both 2004 and 2014.

Ever since the 2017 season, the Bills have been one of the more stable franchises in the league. Several moves have been made before and during the resurgence of the Buffalo Bills, here are the five that stand out the most.

Trading for LeSean McCoy

In the 2015 offseason, the Bills acquired one of the biggest stars in the league in LeSean McCoy. Over the next four years, McCoy would become the foundation of the Buffalo offense.

During his tenure with the Bills, McCoy rushed for 3,814 yards and 25 touchdowns. His best season came in 2017, where he rushed for 1267 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging a career-high 5.4 yards per carry.

McCoy was a useful tool out of the backfield as well, accumulating 1,334 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 175 catches during his four years in Buffalo.

Unfortunately for McCoy, the Bills had some questionable quarterbacks under center while he was with them. McCoy had to carry the offensive load for the likes of Tyrod Taylor, Nathan Peterman, and rookie season Josh Allen.

McCoy played a crucial part in keeping the Bills competitive. The Bills finished 28th, 30th, 31st and 31st in passing yards from 2015-2018; In comparison, they finished 1st, 1st, 6th, and 9th in rushing yards during that same stretch.

Without McCoy’s contributions, the Bills likely would’ve lost many more games while he was in Buffalo, and maybe they would not have even ended the playoff drought in 2017.

Despite ending his time in Buffalo with a whimper, LeSean McCoy became both a fan favorite and a locker room favorite while he was with the Bills. He finished sixth on the Bills’ all-time rushing list, making him one of the best running backs in franchise history.

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