'Shady to Canton'? Should Bills Ex LeSean McCoy Be in Hall of Fame?

LeSean McCoy remains the last Buffalo Bills player to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a single season.

Former Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy is the last player in the franchise's history to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a single season, doing so back during the 2017 campaign when he totaled 1,138 rushing yards.

But while this is notable considering he was on the back end of his career and that no Bill has reached that rushing number since, McCoy had already been building a potential Hall of Fame résumé before that impressive showing, which ended up being the final elite season of his decorated NFL life.

In an article published by the 33rd Team on Monday, McCoy was included in the list of recently retired NFL players who are likely Hall of Famers. The site highlighted McCoy's remarkable career as a complete running back, emphasizing his ability to excel in various aspects of the game.

"A complete running back with 11,102 yards rushing, 518 catches and 89 TDs overall, "Shady" was as exciting and versatile as any running back of his era," The 33rd Team writes.

After being drafted as the No. 53rd overall pick in 2009, McCoy spent the first six years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. During this time, he became the franchise's all-time leading rusher and established several other club records while making it to three Pro Bowls and receiving a pair of All-Pro honors.

These records include the single-season rushing record, achieved in 2013 with 1,607 yards when he also claimed the league rushing title. McCoy also holds the record for the most yards from scrimmage in a season, accumulating 2,146 yards in 2013, and the most rushing touchdowns in a season with 17 in 2011.

Following his tenure with the Eagles, McCoy was traded to the Bills in 2014, where he played for four seasons. During his time with the Bills, McCoy achieved two 1,100-yard rushing seasons, bringing his total to five such seasons within a span of 10 years. He was also named to three Pro Bowls during his four years with the teams.

In the final two years of his career, McCoy served as a backup for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, collecting Super Bowl rings with both teams.

As McCoy becomes eligible for Canton in 2026, his impressive resume solidifies his place among the NFL greats. He currently ranks as the league's 22nd all-time leading rusher with 11,102 yards and sits at 26th place in yards from scrimmage with 15,000. McCoy has also recorded 89 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns, tying him for 37th in NFL history. With such a remarkable career, it seems likely that McCoy has reserved a spot for himself in Canton.

McCoy signed a one-day contract in October 2021 with the Eagles so he could retire as a member of the organization that drafted him.

He was asked whether he believed he had done enough to warrant enshrinement in the Hall during a press conference in the fall of 2021.

"I think I have the numbers," he said. "I think that a lot of other guys that go in, I would just say I feel like I'm just as good as some of those guys. I think of the things you need to get in there, Super Bowls, stats, I have a lot of stats.

Canton or not, the Hall-of-Fame confidence will always be there for Shady.

"I was one of the best players of my decade,” McCoy said. “Hopefully, I get in, we'll see. That would definitely be amazing and a great accomplishment if it happens, for sure."

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