Report: Howie Roseman tried to bring LeSean McCoy back to the Eagles after Chip Kelly fire sale

USATSI_10572372_168382939_lowres

With just two days left until Super Bowl 52, it’s safe to say the shape of this Eagles team has changed drastically since the end of a tumultuous Chip Kelly era. But there’s one move that will never be undone or forgotten by fans. The trade that sent beloved running back LeSean McCoy to Buffalo.

Kelly exiled the former Pro-Bowler, bringing in injury-prone linebacker Kiko Alonso. According to a report from Manish Mehta of the NY Daily Times, it was a mistake that Roseman did all he could to rectify once he regained his position at the top of the heiherarchy.

“Kelly’s decision to trade McCoy to Buffalo for Alonso never made sense. Roseman tried to get McCoy back in a deal with Buffalo through back-channel intermediaries, according to sources. One of Philly’s off-the-books offers for McCoy, who has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons with the Bills, was a package of players that included wide receiver Jordan Matthews, according to sources. Matthews ultimately was traded to the Bills for cornerback Ronald Darby last summer.”

Nothing was ever made formal between the two teams, but it certainly seems as if Roseman was insistent on bringing back the heart of the Eagles offense at the time. Since then however, the Eagles GM has crafted a dominant rushing attack that consists of LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement.

Rosmean has done a remarkable job rebuilding the Eagles, earning the prestigious ‘Executive of the Year’ award in the process of a year that saw the Birds roster completely transform. A number one wide receiver, a steady backfield and a rebuilt secondary were all ticked off by Roseman and Douglas in 2017.

In fact, 13 of the 22 starters set to play in the Super Bowl have been acquired by Roseman since his return to power. This is all in hindsight now. But just in case you needed any more reason to love one of the league’s youngest and most visionary executives, he also tried to right the wrongs of one of the most disastrous hirings in franchise history, despite being exiled by the coach that caused the downfall to begin with.

 

Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports