NBC on Yahoo SportsMcCoy: Signing Murray, Mathews was 'a panic move' by Eagles
When the Eagles decided to trade LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso, many were left wondering who would replace McCoy at running back.
Obviously, Chip Kelly had a plan. The Eagles' head coach, who has full control of the team's personnel decisions, went out and plucked DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews from the free-agent market.
So what does McCoy, the top rusher in Eagles history with 6,792 yards, think of the moves?
"I saw that they originally were trying to get Frank Gore, and he backed out," McCoy said on The Rich Eisen Show, via ESPN. "So then when they got DeMarco and they got Ryan Mathews, I thought it was like a panic move."
McCoy restructured his contract with the Bills earlier this month, agreeing to a five-year, $40 million deal with $26.5 million guaranteed. Murray signed a similar contract with the Eagles — a five-year, $40 million deal — and Mathews was inked for three years at $11.5 million.
But did Kelly overreact when Gore got cold feet?
"I thought about that a little bit," McCoy said. "I didn't understand it. Chip is a really good coach. I think this is something different for him, kind of managing both, from being a coach, to now managing the team as far as the players they get and they pay."
While the move may seem confusing, Murray could prove to be a better fit for Kelly's offense. The 27-year-old, who led the NFL and set a Cowboys record with 1,845 rushing yards in 2014, runs inside with more power.
Still, McCoy seems perplexed by the sudden change.
"I can't really answer it," McCoy said. "They took two backs to replace one. I think DeMarco's a hell of a back. I think he'll do a good job there. I'm not sure how that went."
