Eagles release veteran WR Avant
Last week the Eagles handed out contracts as freely as Trader Joe’s serves up tasty food samples.
Today the Birds issued the first, and certainly not the last reminder that pro football is a brutal bottom line business by releasing likable and still productive veteran wide receiver Jason Avant.
It was clear that Avant, who turns 31 next month, would be looking for a job when general manager Howie Roseman declined to discuss the fate of the eight-year veteran during availabilities hyping the signings of wide receivers Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin last week.
Cooper signed a five-year deal, Maclin a one-year pact after turning down a five-year offer from the Birds, who have fringe receivers Brad Smith, Jeff Maehl, Arrelious Benn and Damaris Jonson under contract.
The Eagles are almost certain to invest in the stellar group of receivers in the May draft as they own the 22nd and 54th overall picks.
Avant was in the last year of a pact worth $2.25 million in base pay.
“In the year I spent with Jason he was unbelievable in terms of his work ethic and his selfless
nature,” head coach Chip Kelly said in a statement furnished by the team. “He was a great teammate. We know he will have a chance to sign with another team and by releasing him now he will have a full offseason to make the necessary adjustments. I had a chance to speak with him today and he handled himself like the true professional he is.”
James Casey could be one of the next Eagles players to go as he had a tough time fitting into the offense and the upcoming draft class is full of tight ends.
In eight seasons with the Eagles, Avant had 297 receptions for 3,646 yards (12.3 yard average) and 12 touchdowns. The 2006 fourth-round pick out of Michigan State was the Eagles’ Ed Block Courage award winner in 2010 and in January, claimed the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Good Guy award for his dealings with the media.
Cooper can thank Avant, among others for enabling him to land a new contract with the Eagles. Avant helped teammates get over their anger about Cooper’s use of a racial epithet spewed in a video shot during a concert at Lincoln Financial Field.
“There have not been any players who have represented the Philadelphia Eagles with more class and dignity than Jason Avant,” Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “Whether it was in the locker room, on the playing field or in the community, he has always been a true professional, a role model and a winner every step of the way. On behalf of the entire organization, I wish Jason and his wife Stacy, and their two daughters, nothing but the best as he continues his fine career.”
While the free agency signing period begins March 11, agents can negotiate for their unrestricted free agent clients during a three-day window that starts Saturday.
Avant (6-0, 210) could get some looks after starting 14 of 16 games in the Eagles’ spread offense last season. The sure-handed veteran and seasoned special teams standout caught 38 catches for 447 yards (11.8 average) and two touchdowns.
“There’s no question that releasing a player like Jason is one of the toughest parts of the job,” Roseman said in a statement. “It’s a tough day when you have to say goodbye to player who you have so much respect for. I can’t thank him enough for the leadership, the big plays and the positive impression he made on so many of his teammates.”