The farther we get from the trade that sent running back LeSean McCoy from Philadelphia to Buffalo, the more clear it becomes that the Eagles simply wanted rid of him.
Tucked away in a story by Jenny Vrentas of Sports Illustrated about Rex Ryan’s start in Buffalo is an anecdote that suggests linebacker Kiko Alonso heading back to Philadelphia was kind of an afterthought, though the deal didn’t allow much time for thinking.
The deal came together while the Bills new braintrust (Ryan, some coaches, General Manager Doug Whaley and team president Russ Brandon) took off for a retreat on owner Terry Pegula’s boat in Florida.
Setting the scene as an afternoon following a set of meetings, the Bills officials were on the deck of the boat drinking wine and smoking cigars when Whaley’s phone rang.
An Eagles official asked Whaley if he wanted McCoy, in exchange for some draft picks. Whaley suggested they look over the Bills roster, since he didn’t have excess choices to offer after sending this year’s first to Cleveland in the Sammy Watkins deal.
In less than 30 minutes, the Eagles called back asking if Alonso was available.
Naturally, the Bills jumped all over the chance to exchange a too-small-for-their-system linebacker coming off an ACL tear for one of the top running backs in the game.
“I’m not a red wine guy,” Ryan said, “but that day I drank red wine.”
He should have been popping champagne.
But the fact the Eagles were looking to stockpile picks instead of adding a specific player might also speak to their aims. Whether it’s making a move for a particular quarterback, or a simple desire to get the old out and the new in, coach Chip Kelly’s clearly going for a makeover of a team that wasn’t bad to begin with.