If you wanted the Philadelphia Eagles to re-sign LeSean McCoy and / or Nigel Bradham, well, you’re out of luck. The two old birds are heading towards the NFC South.
McCoy joins Tom Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (for a year at just over a million dollars) and Bradham is now a member of the New Orleans Saints.
McCoy was previously linked to the Eagles on several occasions. The Eagles have reportedly once expressed interest in him, Carlos Hyde and Devonta Freeman. The first two are now off the market while the second remains available. Maybe Freeman – who had caught the Bucs’ interest – will end up lowering his price where Philly feels comfortable signing him. Or maybe the Eagles are just going to ride with the youth they have behind Miles Sanders in the backfield.
Missing McCoy isn’t the end of the world as the 32-year-old was a good scratch for the Kansas City Chiefs last year. There’s also the reality of adding the weight of Shady’s former off-court baggage. Note that the Eagles won’t have to face their all-time best rusher this season unless they meet the Bucs in the playoffs.
As for Bradham, well, a return to Philly never seemed too likely. He told John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia that the Eagles were “happy with the players they have” when they released him in February. Bradham’s layoff freed up $ 4.5 million in ceiling space. Passing from him wasn’t that crazy of a decision given he had only one interception and no forced fumbles in his last 30 games.
Still, it’s not all that fun knowing Bradham will be joining Malcolm Jenkins to play for one of the Eagles’ biggest contenders in the NFC. The best scenario is to hope that they are too old and ineffective to contribute. It’s not that fun to put down roots against old starters like this one who helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII. Not to mention that the Eagles still seem very skinny in linebacker.
Bradham and Jenkins will both return to Philly as members of the Saints when New Orleans comes to the Linc in Week 14.
