Cut weekend in the NFL is known to have its shocking moments, but there probably weren't many who anticipated the Buffalo Bills cutting running back LeSean McCoy.
That's exactly what has happened, though, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and even he seemed a bit surprised.
Surprise cut: Bills are releasing LeSean McCoy, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2019
McCoy, who rose to fame in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and is a six-time Pro Bowler, has spent the past four seasons with Buffalo. He had an incredible season in 2016 with 13 touchdowns and one through the air, but overall, he's been a player who has been trending the wrong way in terms of production. That's not extremely surprising for a 31-year-old running back, but apparently it was enough of a drop-off for the Bills to feel comfortable running with a unit that includes Frank Gore — at 36 years old — rookie Devin Singletary, and T.J. Yeldon instead.
Can McCoy still play a role for a team in the NFL?
He may not be a reliable full-time back at this point, but he still is talented and if he can find a situation where he can be key backup or part of a running back by committee situation, there is reason to believe he can still flash some of his old greatness.
At the very least, these three teams below should consider kicking the tires on the former superstar running back.
3. Houston Texans
The Texans have seen first-hand that there are no guarantees at the running back spot, and injuries have a way of derailing even the most promising of players.
With Lamar Miller out for the season, Houston will be relying on Duke Johnson to lead the way. Johnson is an NFL veteran and he can be productive. He rushed for 1,286 yards and four touchdowns in four seasons with the Cleveland Browns and he also caught eight touchdowns through the air, so the Texans would be smart to utilize him in a dual-threat role. With that said, he was passed up on Cleveland's depth chart by Nick Chubb and ultimately Kareem Hunt, and considering the fact that he's never run for over 400 total yards in a season, is he a player worth counting on for a featured role?
Perhaps the Texans will take that chance, but signing LeSean McCoy and having a solid backup behind Johnson — instead of just Buddy Howell and Josh Ferguson — would seem to be a smart move.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are dealing with a holdout from star running back Melvin Gordon that appears like it will continue on into the regular season. They have leverage over Gordon because their depth chart is pretty solid with Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson set to take over, but imagine how much stronger their position would be with the star running back if they go out and sign McCoy.
The Chargers could easily play the season without Gordon, because a running back by committee approach with Eckler, McCoy, and Jackson would be a very strong unit.
Of course, signing LeSean McCoy wouldn't help bring Los Angeles and Gordon any closer together in negotiations, so that is something to consider.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Running back Peyton Barber is heading into his fourth season in the NFL, and he does appear to be trending up as far as talent and production is concerned. Behind Barber is second-year back Ronald Jones II out of USC, and though he does have some nice potential, he's very much an unknown at this point.
Bruce Arians is a great offensive coach, and we saw what he was able to do with a dual-threat running back like David Johnson in Arizona. McCoy may not have the explosion of a Johnson at this point of his career, but he would be a great depth-piece in Tampa Bay's offense and you know Arians would find ways to get him the football in open space so that he can make big plays.
The fit appears to be there and the Buccaneers could use a reliable depth piece behind Barber.
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