Brandon Apter (@bapter23), contributor
On the first day they were able to make a move, the Eagles decided to part ways with wide receiver, Riley Cooper. After creating good chemistry with Nick Foles in 2013 following Michael Vick's injury, Cooper was basically a non-factor during the past two seasons for the Eagles.
#Eagles, on the first day they can, release WR Riley Cooper.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) February 8, 2016
97.5 The Fanatic's Jeff Mosher reports that the Eagles will a take $2.4M cap hit this year on release of Cooper but save on his $4.5M salary in 2016 and $8.95M in '17 and '18 salaries. In the end, Philadelphia saves $2.9 million by cutting ties with the 28-year-old Florida alum.
The Eagles signed Cooper to a five-year deal in February of 2014 worth $25 million. At the time, he was coming off of a 2013-14 season that saw him catch 47 passes for 835 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also third in the NFL with a 17.8 yards-per-catch average. Over the next two years though, Cooper compiled only 907 yards and had five total touchdown receptions.
ESPN Stats & Info points out on Twitter that Cooper was targeted on 6.4% of the routes he ran last season, 3rd-lowest out of 143 receivers who ran 250 routes.
The Eagles selected Cooper in the fifth round of the 2010 draft out of Florida. He played 88 games, including 54 starts, and finished his career in Philadelphia with 169 receptions for 2,418 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Cooper was a fifth-round pick of the Eagles in 2010 out of Florida. In 88 games (54 starts), Cooper recorded 169 receptions for 2,418 yards and 18 touchdowns during his six years with the team.
