The Buccaneers are making a big move at running back. They will bring in LeSean McCoy, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. That works out to $1.05MM for a 12th-year player.
Bruce Arians confirmed the team was interested in Devonta Freeman earlier this offseason but said the ex-Falcon’s price tag was too high. The Bucs went in a different direction, signing the former All-Pro to work with Ronald Jones and third-round pick Ke’Shawn Vaughn. With the pandemic nixing the onsite work and the preseason, it makes sense for the Bucs to bring in a veteran Jones complement while Vaughn develops.
McCoy said recently he had spoken to multiple teams and wanted to land with a contender. Considering the Bucs’ new profile after their Tom Brady signing, they certainly qualify. One of the other teams McCoy spoke with was indeed the Eagles, per Rapoport (on Twitter). The Eagles were interested in a reunion, but given McCoy’s league-minimum Bucs pact, it is unclear if an offer came.
Although the Chiefs made McCoy a healthy scratch in Super Bowl LIV, he showed flashes during the regular season. Shady averaged 4.6 yards per carry, bouncing back from a 3.2-YPC season in an undermanned Bills offense in 2018, and scored five touchdowns during his one-year Andy Reid reunion.
After collecting his first Super Bowl ring, the six-time Pro Bowler will join another team with Super Bowl aspirations. The Bucs have now added future Hall of Famers Brady and Rob Gronkowski to their offense, and McCoy will have a chance to work on his Canton credentials in Tampa.
The former Eagles and Bills standout wants to become the league’s 17th 12,000-yard rusher. Sitting on 11,071, the 32-year-old runner will likely need at least two seasons to get there. Every retired back who has eclipsed 12,000 is in the Hall of Fame. Rushers who ended their careers between 11,000 and 12,000 — Fred Taylor, Steven Jackson and Corey Dillon — have not been inducted, however.
Overrated Bucs
well considering they have been no existent for 15 years other than hard knocks ill take an overrated year…
I don’t know if it’s a big move, he is after all still a FA. He couldn’t make it work in KC. I don’t think this is anything close to a big move
to be fair, his Y/A was the second best mark he’s posted in the past 6 years, so he might have been better if given a few extra touches.
3rd down back with Tom Brady? Could be a steal for the Bucs if McCoy can stay healthy with Evans, Godwin, Gronk. McCoy could see a lot of passes thrown his way as a check down for Brady.
I’d look to draft McCoy in later rounds of fantasy football as a potential steal similar to Austin Ekeler.
Agreed
Idk. He might get overdrafted due to name recognition and the fact that he now plays for Tom Brady
So that’s interesting …. I’m in a keeper league … I can keep 7 but I’ve narrowed it down to keeping 3 of these 4 running backs … David Johnson, Ronald Jones , Derius Guice and David Montgomery… which 3 would you keep? Does this hurt Ronald Jones ?
I’d let go of guice he hasn’t stayed on the field at all so far at least you know jones will play
I don’t do fantasy football, but Johnson will get a lot of touches early to try and justify his price tag and what Houston gave up for him.
Jones will benefit from having a clear box to run in, but is splitting more carries with more backs in a more pass first offense. He’ll likely end up better than Johnson but with fewer touches, at least in the first part of the season. He’s probably a better long term option than Johnson though.
I like it. Not necessarily for the Bucs but for Brady. He is good as my those screen passes/check downs to the RB and even a McCoy who’s not in his prime still is good when he’s in the open.
Derrius Guice has maybe 7 game carries since he was drafted in 2018. Granted one of those carries was for like 75 yards, but money says he will spend more time with the trainer then the coach.
Should the waiters and waitresses in Tampa be worried? 20¢ tips for everyone!
Shady needs all his money to buy a clue…..
Just realized I haven’t seen the “they only signed him to get intel on his former team” guy in a while. :p