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As the team noted in making the official announcement, the only lingering question mark about the Eagles’ offseason was resolved on Thursday with a resounding answer: All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy has signed a five-year deal with the Eagles that will keep him in midnight green through the 2017 season.

In an offseason marked by the extensions and signings of players like DeSean Jackson, Todd Herremans and Trent Cole, the Eagles preemptively locked up McCoy, the 23-year-old star running back who was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract.

While the team didn't release financial details, multiple reports suggest the total value is $45 million with just over $20 million in guarantees.

One of the most explosive and versatile offensive weapons in the NFL, McCoy is coming off a stellar two-year run

He set franchise records in 2011 with 17 rushing and 20 total touchdowns, while earning All Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He also led the NFL with 102 first downs and 48 runs of 10-plus yards, while finishing as the league’s fourth-leading rusher with 1,309 yards on the ground. In 2010,

McCoy ranked fourth in the NFL with 1,672 scrimmage yards while leading all running backs with a career-high 78 catches and setting a team record with a 5.2-yard rushing average.

In 2010 he carried 207 times for 1,080 yards and seven touchdowns, plus 78 catches for 592 yards. In his two seasons as a starter he has averaged 5.0 yards a carry and scored 29 total touchdowns.

Originally a second-round draft choice of the Eagles in 2009, McCoy has played in 46 games (32 starts) and accumulated 4,241 scrimmage yards (3,026 rushing; 1,215 receiving) and 33 total touchdowns (28 rushing; five receiving).

He also owns the highest rushing average (4.8) ever by an Eagles running back, and has compiled more rushing and scrimmage yards in his first three seasons than any player in franchise annals. Since entering the league, McCoy ranks third among all running backs with 166 receptions.

Despite piling up 801 total touches in his career, the sure-handed McCoy has surrendered just five fumbles (160.2 touches per fumble).

And as Profootballtalk.com's Michael David Smith notes, at just 23 years old, McCoy has a good chance of remaining at the top of his game for his entire five-year contract -- rare for an NFL running back getting a long-term deal. Not many NFL running backs are able to cash in on lucrative long-term contracts anymore, but McCoy’s is a contract that could work out well for both sides.

It could also work out well for Fantasy owners.

Head coach Andy Reid has said on various occasions this offseason that McCoy's workload needs to be lightened this fall.

"I probably overplayed McCoy a little bit," Reid said most recently. "Even though he doesn't want to hear that. As he continues to get older and have the number of reps under his belt that he does, you'll want to back off the number of reps that he does."

Before anybody panics, PhiladelphiaEagles.com insider Dave Spadaro, appearing on FootballDieahrds on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, recently advised listeners not to worry about the possibility of reduced touches for McCoy.

If it works out that way at all, Spadaro expects it to be addition by subtraction with McCoy holding up better as the season wears on. Spadaro also stressed that McCoy will be the man with the ball in his hands near the goal line not matter what. ...

Meanwhile, we'll remind you again the battle for touches behind McCoy will be between holdovers Dion Lewis and Graig Cooper and rookies Bryce Brown and Chris Polk.