By JOHN WAWROW
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Running back LeSean McCoy has a new team and newly restructured five-year, $40 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.
McCoy’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed in a text to The Associated Press on Sunday that his client has agreed to the new contract. McCoy is guaranteed to make $26.5 million, including $16 million this season, making him the NFL’s highest paid running back, Rosenhaus said.
The agreement was reached five days after the Bills struck a deal to acquire McCoy from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso. The trade and McCoy’s new contract won’t take effect until the new NFL season begins on Tuesday.
The Bills, meanwhile, aren’t finished attempting to re-sign defensive end Jerry Hughes before he’s eligible to become a free agent on Tuesday.
Hughes’ agent, Ben Dogra, told the AP that he is still in negotiations with the Bills, but time is running out.
“We’re working on some issues and making progress,” Dogra said. “Today’s a big day and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Dogra, however, warned that his client is “a popular guy,” by noting numerous teams expressed interest in Hughes since the NFL’s three-day negotiating window opened on Saturday.
Hughes is the Bills’ most high-profile pending free agent once the league signing period opens Tuesday. The fifth-year player has blossomed into an elite pass rusher during his two seasons in Buffalo since being acquired in a trade from Indianapolis. The 2010 first-round draft pick has had 10 sacks in each of the past two seasons, after combining for five in his first three season with the Colts.
In Buffalo, Hughes was part of a line that produced three Pro Bowl selections: tackles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams, and right end Mario Williams.
The Bills are also in talks to re-sign receiver and special teams player Marcus Easley before he becomes a free agent.
The Bills have not commented on the status of negotiations with their pending free agents or the acquisition of McCoy.
McCoy’s new contract will smooth any troubles in the sixth-year player’s transition to Buffalo. He had three years left on his previous contract, and had already been seeking the restructure the deal with Philadelphia.
The NFL’s 2013 rushing leader is regarded as the new centerpiece of a run-oriented offense being installed by new coach Rex Ryan and coordinator Greg Roman.
The 26-year-old McCoy is an every-down and multidimensional player, who poses a threat in both the running and passing game.
His best season came in 2013, when he had 1,607 yards rushing and nine touchdowns, and added 539 yards receiving and a TD. Overall, he has 6,792 yards rushing and 44 touchdowns, and 2,282 yards receiving and 10 TDs.
McCoy will be part of an established group of Bills running backs, rounded out by Fred Jackson, Anthony Dixon and former Eagles teammate Bryce Brown. C.J. Spiller is suddenly the odd-man out and expected to sign elsewhere in free agency.
The Bills finished 25th in the NFL in yards rushing in managing 1,482 yards to set a 16-game season franchise low last year.
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