LeSean McCoy

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy holds his jersey after a press conference in Orchard Park, N.Y., Tuesday, March 10, 2015. McCoy is guaranteed to make $26.5 million, including $16 million this season, making him the NFL's highest paid running back,(AP Photo | Gary Wiepert)

The Eagles swapped out one Pro Bowl running back for another this offseason, trading LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills and bringing in DeMarco Murray, who spent four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

The decision to trade McCoy seemed to be about freeing up money to fix the defense. The Eagles saved $10 million by moving the team's all-leading rusher, and that allowed them to sign free-agent cornerback Byron Maxwell and acquire linebacker Kiko Alonso in the deal for McCoy.

That's why the Eagles' decision to sign Murray to a big-money deal seemed curious.

Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, McCoy said he thought the decision to open the bank for Murray was a odd one by head coach, Chip Kelly, who has assumed control of personnel decisions.

"I saw that they originally were trying to get Frank Gore, and he backed out," McCoy said. "So then when they got DeMarco and they got [running back] Ryan Mathews, I thought it was like a panic move."

The Eagles signed Murray to a five-year, $40 million deal and agreed to a three-year deal with Mathews. Those contracts nullified any savings the Eagles realized by trading McCoy.

With Murray and Mathews now on board, and backup Darren Sproles still on the roster, the Eagles have $12.6 million allocated to the running back position next season, second-most in the NFL.

"I didn't understand it. I should say that," McCoy said. "And Chip, I think, is a really good coach. I think this is something different for him — kind of managing both, from being a coach to now kind of managing the team as far as the players that they get and they pay."

Kelly was given control of the personnel department earlier this offseason, with general manager Howie Roseman being stripped of his title. The change has led to plenty of turnover on the Eagles' roster.

Gone are McCoy, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, guard Todd Herremans, quarterback Nick Foles and outside linebacker Trent Cole, who have spent their entire careers with the Eagles.

In their place, Kelly has signed a number of free agents, including a running back (Murray) that McCoy feels might have been a rushed decision.

"With that media in Philadelphia, they can get tough on you. So I guess that was just the way to make it right. I don't know," McCoy said. "I can't really answer it. They took two backs to replace one. I think DeMarco's a hell of a back. I think he'll do a good job there. I'm not sure how that went."

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Sports on Facebook.