The Eagles spent last week re-signing several of their pending free agents, including a pair of wide receivers.
This week brings the other side of the transaction wire. With Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin in the fold at receiver for 2014, Jason Avant won’t be. PFT has learned via a league source that the Eagles have released the veteran wideout.
The move was expected even before Cooper and Maclin had officially put pen to paper on new deals with the team. Avant was set to have a cap charge of nearly $4 million and had a $1 million roster bonus due in just under two weeks, which didn’t quite work for a 30-year-old receiver whose most frequently mentioned asset is his strong presence in the locker room. Releasing him clears $3.25 million in space for the Eagles to use going forward.
Avant had 38 catches for 447 yards and those character traits will likely help him get a look elsewhere at a price more in line with his on-field contributions. Avant played many years in Philly for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and both of those teams are expected to wade into the receiver market at some point this offseason. Since he was cut, Avant can start looking for a new job right away.
UPDATE 11:25 a.m. ET: The Eagles have announced the transaction. In a statement, owner Jeffrey Lurie said “there have not been any players who’ve represented the Eagles with more class and dignity” than Avant did during his time with the team.
