NFL teams had to dwindle its rosters down from 90 to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Saturday, and the Buffalo Bills made a somewhat surprising cut.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bills released 31-year-old veteran running back LeSean McCoy. The decision to part ways with McCoy will save $6.425 million in cap space.
McCoy is coming off his worst statistical season, rushing for 514 yards on 161 carries with three rushing touchdowns, and the Bills had signed TJ Yeldon in the offseason, as well as 36-year-old veteran Frank Gore. They also drafted running back Devin Singletary in the third round.
While many interpreted these moves to signal that McCoy’s time was done, Bills head coach Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane insisted that the six-time Pro Bowl running back would play a significant role in the team’s offense in 2019.
While his numbers saw a decline last season, McCoy had rushed for 1,138 yards in 2017, which could be enough for other running back-needy teams, such as the Houston Texans, to take a flier on him.
There is also the potential of a reunion in Philadelphia, although they have a pretty deep backfield as it is, or perhaps with his former coach Andy Reid in Kansas City, where they are still looking to fill the void left by Kareem Hunt.
While McCoy highlighted roster cut day, here are some other notable players who were cut through Saturday morning:
ILB Brandon Marshall, Oakland Raiders
WR Keelan Doss, Oakland Raiders
LB Jachai Polite, New York Jets
CB Captain Munnerlyn, Buffalo Bills
RB Josh Adams, Philadelphia Eagles
LB Malik Jefferson, Cincinnati Bengals
OL John Jerry, Cincinnati Bengals
DE Jonathan Bullard, Chicago Bears
TE Luke Willson, Oakland Raiders
QB Paxton Lynch, Seattle Seahawks