The Greatest NFL Starting Job Thefts of All Time
By Erik Lambert
Philadelphia Eagles: LeSean McCoy takes over for Brian Westbrook
Talk to any Eagles fan 10 years ago and they would’ve said it’s crazy to think anybody could ever replace what Brian Westbrook was to the offense for so many years. He truly was one of the best weapons in the NFL for a considerable stretch. From 2004 to 2008 he never had fewer than 1,200 yards from scrimmage and scored more than 10 touchdowns three times.
Nobody could’ve expected that somebody even better was right around the corner. Age and injury caught up to Westbrook in 2009 as he missed half the season. In his place, rookie LeSean McCoy posted 945 total yards and four touchdowns. He was declared the starter moving forward and Westbrook was released that offseason.
McCoy went on to post five-straight seasons over 1,200 yards from scrimmage, scored 62 more touchdowns and made three Pro Bowls. To this day Philadelphia is irate he was traded away in 2015.