Eagles Lock In LeSean McCoy For Five Years

By Joseph Santoliquito

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Now everything seems set and ready for 2012. The Eagles made certain of that when they committed to All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy Thursday night with a five-year, $45-million contract extension that is slated to run through the 2017 season.

McCoy is the latest that tops a list of re-upped Eagles that includes the offseason contract extensions for wide receiver DeSean Jackson, right tackle Todd Herremans and defensive end Trent Cole.

Last season, McCoy was named All-Pro for the first time after posting career-bests in rushing yards (1,309) and touchdowns (20), setting an all-time Eagles' record for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns in a season with 20, snapping the previous mark by all-time Eagles' great Steve Van Buren.

McCoy, who will turn 24 on July 12, set another franchise record with a touchdown in nine-straight games. He also led the NFL with first downs on rushes of 10-or-more yards.

"We're very excited to continue to build within with this football team and keep the great players here," Eagles' coach Andy Reid said. "We have good young players here, and we feel we have a great young nucleus of guys, and with LeSean here, he does it all. He loves playing the game and that brings great energy to the football team."

McCoy will turn just. The deal for the new father will include a $20.7-million guarantee.

In his first three seasons, no Eagle has ever rushed for more yards than McCoy (3,026). And so far, his career 4.8 yards per carry average is the best in franchise history. The contract now places McCoy among the top paid running backs in the NFL.

"I think a lot of deals are structured through other peers, and there are other good backs and feel in a good range to be included to be with those guys," McCoy said. "I'm happy everything is done and over with, and I'll come back to work with a smile on my face. I love to compete, and that's the biggest thing with me. We're all together, and a lot of guys have nice deals, so they're in the same boat as those guys. We're all on the same page that we want to win a championship. That's the main goal, to bring a championship to Philadelphia."

For Eagles' general manager Howie Roseman, it was another key part of the Eagles' nucleus locked in.

"I think the struggles with this job is that you're always trying to keep an eye out for the future and trying to put the best team out there as well, so we're fortunate that we have young players that we want to keep here for a long term," Roseman said. "We're trying to mix some of the veterans we got last offseason and also take care of some of the young players we have here and hopefully that's what we did."
McCoy was greatly relieved.

"Me as a person, the way I was raised, I do things the right way and the team knew I wanted a new deal," McCoy said. "I think it's the right timing for this deal. I wanted to be a team guy and act like I was a different person. We got a good deal done and I'm happy."