You’re the Future, Kid”—How Brian Westbrook Passed the Torch to LeSean McCoy

In the 2009 offseason, the Eagles drafted a young, dynamic running back out of Pittsburgh named LeSean McCoy. He had talent, swagger, and undeniable speed—but like any rookie stepping into a storied franchise, he was nervous. Especially with a veteran like Brian Westbrook already in the locker room.

But instead of seeing McCoy as a threat, Westbrook saw potential.

“He walked up to me and said, ‘You’re the future, kid,’” McCoy once recalled in an interview. “That meant the world.”

It was a rare gesture in the competitive world of professional football—especially for a player like Westbrook, who still had game left in him. But he understood something deeper than numbers or depth charts. He understood legacy.

Rather than holding McCoy at arm’s length, Westbrook mentored him. He taught him how to pick up blitzes, how to read defenses, and most importantly—how to handle Philly. The city that demands greatness and punishes inconsistency. Westbrook had earned the fans’ love through years of toughness and humility. He wanted McCoy to feel that love, too.

As the season progressed, Westbrook battled injuries, and McCoy got more carries. But through it all, the torch was passed with grace. There was no drama. No resentment. Just a quiet respect between two players—one rising, one transitioning.

By the time Westbrook left the Eagles, he left knowing the backfield was in good hands. McCoy would go on to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, but he never forgot who showed him how to be more than just a stat machine.

“He showed me how to be a pro,” McCoy said.

Sometimes the greatest gift a leader can give isn’t a speech—it’s a moment of belief. For McCoy, Westbrook’s belief was the foundation of everything that came after.