The Philadelphia Eagles were poised to make offensive changes this offseason. The team has been linked to multiple rumors with free agency and the NFL Draft just around the corner. They made the first move by not using their franchise tag on Jeremy Maclin and now they have made their second move by trading away LeSean McCoy. What is next for the Eagles and who will come in to help the offense in 2015?
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Eagles have a deal in place that will send McCoy to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso. McCoy's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, took to Twitter to clarify saying the trade has not been finalized, but could do so next week. The move to trade McCoy was unexpected, but not a total surprise. The Eagles were preparing to ask the running back to restructure his contract due to his cap space. The running back was set to be a $11.95 million hit to cap, something the Eagles could not afford to take on.
McCoy told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he was willing to work with the team about his contract in order to help get a deal done for Maclin. Now the Eagles are facing the reality that they could be without both Maclin and McCoy in the 2015 season which could potentially set their offense back. Maclin is set to be an unrestricted free agent after not getting the franchise tag and teams will be ready to make offers. The wide receiver made it clear that he would ideally like to remain in Philadelphia.
"I've always said I wanted to be herei n Philadelphia, but I've also always said I understand it's a business," Maclin said, via the Philadelphia Daily News. "Both sides have made it known that we both want each other back, so the rest of it is in God's hands. If it's supposed to happen, it'll happen. I want to be here."
Maclin is not certain about his future with the Eagles, but one thing he does believe is the idea that Chip Kelly is itching to trade up for Marcus Mariota in the NFL Draft. While appearing on ESPN Radio's "SVP & Russillo Show" and was asked about the potential of Kelly and Mariota reuniting in 2015. The wide receiver made it clear that Kelly has all roster power now with the Eagles and is looking to "get his guy."
"Chip has the green light to do what he wants to do," Maclin said. "So I think Chip will go out and get his guy."
There are certainly more changes ahead for the Eagles. Right now, their offense is headlined by Riley Cooper, Jordan Matthews and Darren Sproles. They need to add fire power for whomever is playing quarterback next year.
