Buffalo Bills: Looking to the future with LeSean McCoy

It’s been an extremely disappointing season for LeSean McCoy and now the Buffalo Bills have to decide what to do with the six-time Pro Bowler.

LeSean McCoy would be the first to tell you this has been a poor season for him. Even allowing for the issues with the Buffalo Bills‘ offensive line.

Never has McCoy lacked so much explosiveness when carrying the ball. He is on course for a career-low 3.3 yards per carry, with his longest run of the season just 28 yards.

To put this into context, the 30-year-old’s previous low was 4.0 yards per carry. And the fact this was set just last season alludes to the possibility he is only going to get worse, especially now that he has hit an age where running backs commonly fall off the proverbial cliff.

Again, we must stress how bad the offensive line has been this season. And McCoy’s production isn’t helped by having a rookie quarterback under center.

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People can rave all they want about Josh Allen‘s potential, but his inaccuracy passing the ball has been a real issue. Even allowing for his rookie status, Allen has often been off-target with throws he should be completing.

As a result, the Bills’ are averaging the second-fewest passing yards per game in the NFL this season. By extension, opposing teams can focus their attention on stopping McCoy.

Regardless, how much of this is about factors surrounding the six-time Pro-Bowler which are outside his control, compared to the very real possibility he is now on the downside of his career? No matter how much Bills fans may not want to admit it, the latter scenario is becoming more of a possibility/reality.

Barring a major resurgence over the last three weeks of the 2018 regular season, McCoy will finish with the fewest rushing yards of his 10-year career. And that resurgence becomes less likely, when considering he is rated as 50-50 to play this coming Sunday against the Detroit Lions, due to an ongoing hamstring issue.

So, what does this all mean moving forward? More specifically, what will the Bills do with the two-time First-team All-Pro after this season?

As things stand, McCoy has one year remaining on his contract, for just under $6.2 million. Would the team consider cutting him?

To do so, would bring a cap hit approaching $9 million against the 2019 payroll. For what it’s worth, the Bills could afford to take this hit; as per Nick Wojton of Bills Wire, the team is projected to have approximately $87 million in cap space this offseason, third-most in the NFL.

As per the trade speculation speculation earlier this season, you could argue the Bills missed out on moving McCoy when he had more value. However, it’s easy to make comments like this with the benefit of hindsight.

In truth, regardless of whether the team cuts McCoy or not, there will be criticism. Such is the world of professional sports, where the media is always ready to jump on any decision.

From our perspective, as things stand, the Bills would be wise to hold onto the 2009 second round draft pick for now. Apart from the fact his experience and advice should prove invaluable to Allen, the reality is the team does not have a genuine replacement to take over as the main running back.

All all likelihood, the Bills and the rest of the NFL have seen the best of McCoy, but there is no pressure to release him as the team continues to rebuild towards a better future. And in the meantime, you never know; there may still be some life left in the wily veteran.

Next. Lorenzo Alexander deserves another contract. dark

If you’re in the Buffalo Bills’ position, what would you do with McCoy for the remainder of this season? Would you sit him or continue to play him? What about once the season concludes? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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