Eagles Extend LeSean McCoy

Added on May 18, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

The Philadelphia Eagles continued an offseason of locking up their young core of talent yesterday when they signed star running back LeSean McCoy to a five-year extension worth $45 million with close to $21 million in guaranteed money. The 23-year-old is coming off a breakout 2011 season that saw him lead the league in rushing touchdowns with 17 and earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

McCoy, a second-round pick in 2009, was relieved to clear up a cloudy contract situation before training camp began.

“I love this team, and I’m kind of a hometown kid from Harrisburg which is like an hour and a half away,” McCoy said Thursday night. “Nothing could be better than being here for the long term. Once you kind of realize the feeling of wanting to be here for the long term, we contacted the team and it was a mutual feeling. So, it kicked off from there.”

McCoy joins fellow Eagles DeSean Jackson, Todd Herremans, Trent Cole and Evan Mathis on the list of key players who have been awarded long-term deals in recent months. Head coach Andy Reid summed up the importance and versatility of the man known as Shady.

“He does it all, so this isn’t a one-dimensional running back,” coach Andy Reid said. “This is a running back that can not only carry the football for you but can catch the football as well as the wide receivers and he can block and loves playing the game. That brings great energy to this football team.”

McCoy has developed a penchant for finding the end zone in his short career, scoring 33 touchdowns in three seasons. He was easily the Eagles most consistent offensive weapon in their disappointing 2011 campaign. He finished fourth in the league in rushing with 1309 yards and added 48 receptions for 315 yards.

He joins the likes of Arian Foster, Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson as the NFL’s highest paid runners.

Source: ESPN.com