By Annie Ross
So, five weeks into the 2015 season, let’s shine a light on the controversial Eagles trade of running back Shady McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso (above).
The move made sense in that the Eagles’ defense desperately needed to improve, but no one would call the trade “fair” in terms of what each player brings to the field.
Coach Chip Kelly felt McCoy wasn’t going to bounce back from a subpar 2014 season and he wanted to get out from under his big contract.
That made sense because running backs are pretty easy to come by and Alonso had three years left on his rookie deal that will pay him a grand total of $4.3 million.
Alonso has played in just two games before suffering a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since. But he flashed his skills in those two games, including his Odell Beckham-esque interception of Matt Ryan back in Week 1.
McCoy hasn’t played the last two weeks and he won’t play Sunday while he nurses a hamstring injury.
In three games he has 146 rushing yards and is averaging a Trent Richardson-tastic 3.4 yards per carry. He also has 7 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. But unlike Alonso, who is cheap, the Bills gave McCoy a contract extension to the tune of $40 million over five years, including $26.5 million in guarantees.
In terms of on-field production, it’s a wash. But when you include the salary-cap implications the Eagles get the slight edge.
