The Philadelphia Eagles have two of their best wide receivers heading into free agency come March. While the team is hoping to re-sign both, several salary cap moves will have to be made in order for that to happen. It was assumed the Eagles would only re-sign one receiver, but instead the team is making cuts that show they really will keep both Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin for a few more years.
According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles are preparing to part ways with wide receiver Jason Avant. The veteran was scheduled to be a $3.96 million salary cap hit in 2014 while being owed a $1 million roster bonus on March 15. Without him, the team saves plenty of money that could help in the effort to retain Maclin and Cooper.
It was originally reported that the Eagles would only re-sign one player, favoring Maclin over Cooper. Avant had played well enough to fill the void and the team could just go out and sign a veteran to help with depth. Last season avant had 38 catches for 447 yards and two touchdowns. He has been a reliable threat all eight seasons with the team and nice compliment to the wide receivers corps. With two productive tight ends in Brent Celek and Zach Ertz, Avant became expendable.
Now in need of a wide receiver with extra spending cash, the likelihood that both Cooper and Maclin return in 2014 becomes greater. Maclin will be the cheaper of the two receivers. Coming off a season where he did not play after tearing his ACL, the receiver understands a one-year contract is likely all he will earn. The Eagles can sign him to a cheap contract and worry about a long-term extension after Maclin proves his health and production is still intact.
Cooper can then return with a long-term contract. The receiver had a breakout year in 2013 at the hands of quarterback Nick Foles. The two proved to have very strong chemistry that is expected to continue should Cooper be back with the team. After a strong season, Cooper has the leverage to negotiate more money and with Avant gone, the team can give it to him. General manager Howie Roseman has already said how much he wants both Cooper and Maclin back and now that could actually happen.
