LeSean McCoy: Eagles' running back signings 'a panic move'

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy said he thought the Philadelphia Eagles' running back signings earlier this month 'was like a panic move.'

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy said he thought the Philadelphia Eagles' running back signings earlier this month 'was like a panic move.'

McCoy was speaking on The Rich Eisen Show on Saturday when he said he "didn't understand" the Eagles' free-agent signings of running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. Both moves came after the Eagles traded McCoy to the Buffalo Bills earlier this month. The move was widely seen as attempt to save the Eagles money while rebuilding their defense—they received linebacker Kiko Alonso from the Bills—and McCoy later signed a five-year, $40-million contract with Buffalo.

• Eagles Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik dies at 89

"I didn't understand it, I should say that," McCoy said. "And Chip [Kelly], I think, is a really good coach. I think this is something different for him kind of managing both, from being a coach to now kind of managing the team as far as the players that they get and they pay."

At the beginning of the offseason, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly gained control of Philadelphia's player personnel department in addition to his preexisting coaching responsibilities.

• Brian Orakpo on Robert Griffin III: 'I think he'll be able to turn it around'

"I had seen that they originally were trying to get Frank Gore, and he backed out," McCoy said. "So then when they got DeMarco and they got Ryan Mathews, I thought it was like a panic move. You know, with that media in Philadelphia, they can get tough on you. I guess that was just a way to make it right."

McCoy also expressed surprise that the Eagles replaced him with two running backs, but credited McCoy as "a hell of a running back."

• Hernandez trial Day 31: Does defendants' odd behavior signal guilt?

McCoy finished last season as the NFL's third-leading rusher with 1,319 yards. Murray led all rushers with 1,845.

Mathews, who sustained knee and ankle injuries last season, was limited to 330 rushing yards in six games.

- Mike Fiammetta