LeSean McCoy, six-time Pro Bowl running back, announces NFL retirement after 12 seasons

Veteran running back LeSean McCoy will sign a one-day contract with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring from the NFL after a productive 12-season career.

McCoy made the announcement in a first-person article posted to the Eagles' official website.

"After 12 years in the NFL, I've decided to retire an Eagle because this is home to me," McCoy wrote. "I still have that green inside my heart. There are times when I'd see the Eagles on TV, and it just felt weird not wearing that uniform. I instantly think back to all of those big games and the roar of the fans; I've just always seen myself as an Eagle. It's only right to come back home and retire an Eagle."

McCoy, 33, was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl 55 championship roster last season, though he did not play in the game. McCoy had signed a one-year deal with the Bucs, and had been unsigned after his contract in Tampa expired. 

McCoy's Super Bowl with Tampa was actually his second in consecutive seasons, after he reunited with coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs for their title in Super Bowl 54. Prior to that, McCoy spent four seasons with the Buffalo Bills from 2015-18. The Eagles selected him in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft and he instantly became a contributor for Philadelphia until his last season there, in 2014.

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"I'm retiring because I'm at peace mentally," McCoy continued. "The only regret I've ever had was not spending my entire career as an Eagle. I look at guys like (Eagles center) Jason Kelce and (former Cardinals receiver) Larry Fitzgerald, lifelong friends of mine, who spent their whole career with one team. I grew up in Harrisburg, played my college football at Pittsburgh, and was drafted by the Eagles. I never thought it would have been like that, but it would have been so cool to finish my career only having played in this one state."

A six-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro selection, McCoy was known for combining speed with shifty cutting and footwork in the face of tacklers that made him one of the more elusive running backs of the last decade. McCoy was also selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.

"LeSean possessed a unique combination of speed, elusiveness, and an exceptional playmaking ability that made him one of the most dynamic players in the league, and one of the most productive players in the history of our franchise," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said Thursday in a statement.

"LeSean carried himself with a rare blend of confidence and youthful enthusiasm, but he also was driven by a desire to be one of the all-time greats at the running back position, and that's what made him such an exciting player to be around and watch every week. He provided so many memorable plays and performances over the course of his career. We are honored to share in this special day with LeSean and look forward to recognizing him as the Eagles Legend of the Game on Sunday."

McCoy finishes his career with 2,457 carries for 11,102 rushing yards and 73 touchdowns. He also caught 518 passes for 3,898 yards with 16 receiving scores. McCoy's career rushing total is the 22nd most in NFL history.