Former Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (pictured above) breaks a tackle in a 2018 game versus the Cleveland Browns. McCoy was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday Aug. 31 (Courtesy of Creative Commons).
Former Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy did not have much time to enjoy the Bills’ first undefeated preseason in franchise history. The 31-year-old veteran was cut by Bills general manager Brandon Beane on Saturday Aug. 31, less than 24 hours after the team’s preseason triumph.
McCoy was the team’s most surprising casualty when Buffalo stripped their roster down to 53 players ahead of their season opener against the New York Jets.
Beane had assured the media several times during the winter that, “McCoy remained in the team’s plans for 2019,” however, the Bills added three new running backs to the roster over the offseason. Two veterans, Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon, as well as third-round pick Devin Singletary from Florida Atlantic were brought into the running back positional group. The competition was a driving force behind McCoy getting cut.
Singletary rushed for 66 career touchdowns over three seasons while averaging an impressive six yards-per-carry in college. His elusiveness and 4,289 career yards earned him the nickname “Motor” during his collegiate career, which provides insight into the dedication and work ethic Singletary can bring to the Bills over the next few seasons.
Bills second-year quarterback, Josh Allen, shed more light on Singletary’s potential in an interview with News 4 Buffalo. “[Singletary] will be big in this offense and he is going to grow and continue to evolve,” he said. “I’m glad we have him on our team.”
On draft night, however, some of Singletary’s new teammates seemed less enthusiastic. McCoy’s efforts to reach out to every one of Buffalo’s new draft picks, except for Singletary, stood out. An 11-year veteran like McCoy should have been eager to welcome Singletary into the locker room, instead, he created divisions by ignoring the new Buffalo running back.
McCoy was no stranger to making headlines in Buffalo, some better than others. He scored 25 touchdowns during his tenure with the Bills to go along with 3,814 rushing yards, while leading the team to their first playoff appearance in 17 years.
On the other hand, McCoy came off as selfish and usually concerned with his personal rushing milestones rather than team goals.
Additionally, McCoy caused headaches for the Bills last offseason while his name circulated in reports of an assault and robbery on his ex-wife. While no charges were ever filed on McCoy, the bad publicity certainly was not forgotten.
When it came down to decide the final roster, the drama, the play of the other running backs and his own successes all played a factor in McCoy’s future, but his contract played the largest role in determining which team’s jersey he would wear in 2019.
According to CBS Sports, the Bills saved more than $6 million by cutting McCoy after a depressing 2018 campaign, in which he rushed for only 514 yards despite playing 13 games. The 514 yards and his 3.2 yards-per-carry average were both career-worsts for McCoy. Looking at the sustained success of Gore and the upside in Singletary, McCoy was not worth the headache or the money, especially when Gore and Singletary will earn a combined $1.75 million in 2019.
Bills fans will have fond memories of McCoy, who was traded to Buffalo for another fan favorite, linebacker Kiko Alonso, in 2016. Any player that plays such an integral part in a postseason run in Buffalo will be well-remembered.
McCoy shared his goodwill toward the city of Buffalo in an article for the Player’s Tribune. He wrote, “there’s nothing like Bills fans ... so thank you—for dealing with all the ups and downs.”
McCoy is a talented player, which is why he quickly signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Sept. 1.
With McCoy half a country away, the ball is in the hands of Gore, Singletary and Yeldon, which means the team should be in good hands too.