Former Pitt running back LeSean McCoy was released by the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The move was considered a surprise by many, but the Bills had been preparing to move on from the star running back for several months.
Most notably, the team signed Frank Gore to a one-year, $2 million contract in March. In addition, the Bills selected former Florida Atlantic standout Devin Singletary in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft.
Gore has been in decline in terms of production, as he is now three years removed from his last 1,000-yard rushing season. In 2018, he ran for 722 yards and zero touchdowns with the Miami Dolphins. However, Singletary is coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons, during which he amassed 66 touchdowns for Florida Atlantic.
The move is poorly timed from McCoy’s vantage point, as it leaves him as a free agent just as most teams are finalizing their rosters. In addition, his relatively advanced age and declining production are unlikely to appeal to teams looking to make additions.
Last season, McCoy ran for 514 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. The 514-yard rushing total was the lowest of the former Pitt star’s career. With that said, McCoy has topped 1,000 yards in four of the last six seasons, so there may be a team willing to bet on him having a bounceback year. Some notable candidates include the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.