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LeSean McCoy: 'I don't want to take less money'

PHOENIX - If perception were reality, LeSean McCoy and Nick Foles would spend every waking hour of the offseason wondering if they were going to be Eagles next season.

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. (Matthew Emmons/USA Today)
Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. (Matthew Emmons/USA Today)Read more

PHOENIX - If perception were reality, LeSean McCoy and Nick Foles would spend every waking hour of the offseason wondering if they were going to be Eagles next season.

The two made promotional rounds on Radio Row at Super Bowl XLIX on Thursday and neither seemed very much concerned over speculation about his future.

McCoy reiterated comments he made after the season that he would be willing to restructure his contract if the Eagles approached him, but the running back took a hard line when discussing whether coach Chip Kelly would ask him to take 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. "I want to figure a way to make it happen [where] we're all together."

The Eagles have been negotiating a long-term contract with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and there have been questions as to whether the team would be able to keep both the receiver and McCoy. With Foles still playing under a third-round rookie contract, the Eagles are expected to have as much salary-cap space as any team heading into free agency in March.

"We're going to work it out and see what happens," McCoy said. "I've got to pay my boy Mac."

McCoy is slated to earn $9.75 million and will have nearly a $12 million cap number next season - the highest of any Eagles player. Only $1 million of his salary is guaranteed.

Kelly said after the season that he wanted McCoy back, but he also acknowledged that nothing is set in stone. The coach, who now has complete control over football operations, was slated to have dinner with McCoy on Thursday night.

"Andy [Reid] had the same type of [power], so I'm used to that," McCoy said. "I think it's better because if you want deals done you can come talk to him directly - 'Hey, Coach' - because some stuff may bother you."

A year ago, there was little question that Foles would be back as the starting quarterback. But after an injury-marred season and some regression, his name has once again been bandied about in trade speculation amid reports that other teams have interest.

"I think you're going to hear about them every single year," Foles said. "That's just part of it. I think the main word is rumor. It's a rumor [and] you can't put too much into it. I only listen to . . . Chip. He's the one that will make the decision."

Asked if he thought he would be back as the starter, Foles said, "I plan on being back and being in Philly."

Unlike last year, Kelly stopped short of saying Foles was his starter after the season. But barring some unforeseen event, all signs point to the Eagles coach bringing back Foles for his fourth season with the Eagles.

Foles said that he hasn't spoken much to Kelly since the end of the season.

"He's busy looking at the draft, doing all that," Foles said. "I saw that he's more of a decision maker, but I haven't really talked to him much."

Foles, who missed the final eight games of the season with a broken collarbone, said he could have returned and played had the Eagles advanced into the postseason.

"Looking back upon it, I would have been able to play if we were in the playoffs," Foles said. "If it was the first playoff game, it would have been probably closer to 90 percent healed to where it was medically to the point where it would be solid enough."

Foles has one year remaining on his rookie contract. Backup Mark Sanchez's deal is up in March. There is growing speculation that Kelly will do whatever it takes to draft Marcus Mariota, but few see the former Oregon quarterback slipping out of the top six picks.

"Marcus Mariota is a tremendous quarterback and I expect him to have a tremendous NFL career," Foles said during a separate interview with NFL Network. "But when it comes down to all the rumors and everything, I don't pay much attention."

@Jeff_McLane