Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy is slated to make some serious dough next season - $9.75 million to be exact.
But even more importantly, he's expected to count $12 million against the salary cap, which is the highest of any Eagles player and second to only Adrian Peterson among NFL running backs, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
His production this past season - 1,319 yards and five touchdowns rushing - while good, came nowhere close to matching the previous season when he led the league in rushing and averaged over 5.0 yards per carry.
He plays a position, not necessarily of lessening importance, as proven by the success of the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, two power running teams, but of lessening value. Many NFL teams believe they can find productive running backs in all areas of the draft and free agency and pay them much less than McCoy is slated to make.
Still, McCoy said that, while he's willing to talk about a restructuring of his deal, he won't entertain the notion of a pay cut.
"I know how hard it is to keep a team together and I want to be part of this team. But I don't want to take less money," McCoy said, according to the Inquirer. "I want to figure a way to make it happen [where] we're all together."
With the electric but diminutive Darren Sproles and oft-injured Chris Polk, the only other running backs on the roster last season, it's difficult to envision the Eagles giving up on McCoy.
Of McCoy's projected 2015 salary though, only $1 million is guaranteed, which has led to some speculation that the team could move on from him after this season, especially when other players at positions of greater NFL value, like pending unrestricted free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, need to be paid.
"We're going to work it work it out and see what happens," McCoy said. "I got to pay my boy Mac."
McCoy, who was voted to his third Pro Bowl after this season, said he isn't concerned with his standing in the eyes of head coach Chip Kelly and believes that as long as he continues to work and produce, the team will want to keep him around.
"I'm a productive player. I'm going to keep being productive," McCoy said. "Keep doing the right things. Play hard. I'll be fine."
