Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
As everyone probably knows by now, the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles have a deal in place to go through next week that will send one star player for another. Linebacker Kiko Alonso — who missed all of last season with a torn ACL — will be sent from Buffalo to Philly for All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy.
For the Eagles, it’s 100 percent clear and understandable why they’d want to go through with this deal. The defense has struggled the past few years and they clearly lack a true playmaker. Alonso eradicates that issue and then some, at least, if he can come back strong from his injury. He’s a true difference-maker on the defensive end, as evidenced by his outstanding rookie season where he recorded 159 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions.
Philadelphia also made out in the salary cap situation. McCoy’s large salary, especially for a running back, is now off the books and can be put toward other needs on the defensive end and deciding what to do at quarterback.
Of course, losing a player of his caliber is tough, but with Chip Kelly‘s system, finding production from the running back spot shouldn’t be hard. Don’t forget Darren Sproles is still on the roster and Chris Polk is a restricted free agent, and free agency and the draft can still be utilized also.
However, while the Eagles made out great in this trade, you have to wonder why in the world the Bills would make such a deal? I mean, do they want to continually not be a good football team? The logic just doesn’t make any sense at all.
The Bills’ clear strong-suit over the past two seasons has been their defense. In fact, it’s the only reason they’ve been able to stay in games during that time with the horrendous play of any number of quarterbacks, with the surprising exception of some rather average, if not solid play from Kyle Orton last year.
Buffalo still has the option to get back C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson is under contract for another year. Not to mention, productive running backs are a dime a dozen in the NFL with the right system and a strong offensive line. Granted, backs like LeSean McCoy can’t be found just anywhere, but is he worth trading away one of the best young linebackers in the league to get?
Alonso is in the same conversation as guys like Luke Kuechly and Patrick Willis. It’s not easy to find that productive of a player on the defensive end, and getting rid of him for a player at a position that isn’t nearly as important as it once was just doesn’t add up. The Bills might get a little bit more excitement each game from having McCoy, but he’s not going to make them a playoff team — unlike Alonso might have done leading a top defensive unit during the 2015 season after a surprisingly strong 9-7 campaign.
And that’s really what it all comes down to. Is losing a key player on a potentially elite defensive unit worth getting a small upgrade in talent at the running back position?
No. No, it’s not.
Why the Bills think otherwise remains a mystery.
Brian Neal is an NFL contributor for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianneal23.
