Jason Avant released by Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant (81) warms up in the snow prior to playing the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
In a move that should surprised nobody, the Philadelphia Eagles have announced the release of veteran slot receiver Jason Avant, who would have received a $1 million roster bonus on the 15th. Avant was always expected to be released, and the new deals given to impending free agents No. 2 and 3 wide receivers Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin only sealed his fate as a cap casualty. Releasing Avant saves the Eagles $3.25 million, and he simply didn’t have a spot on the team as a No. 4 receiver.
Although he is one of the finest locker room guys around and has ridiculously sure hands, he doesn’t bring much else to the table. Avant is probably as slow as “Molasses” Mike Jenkins, and that just doesn’t fly in the Eagles high-paced offensive attack that places a premium on wide receivers that can go out on the stretch the field deep (you know, exactly what the top three wideouts on the Eagles are great at).
Avant shouldn’t have any trouble finding work, but the 30-year-old Michigan product won’t get more than two years and will probably make only about $2-3 million per year. He managed to catch 38 passes last season and could be a WR3 on a team with poor depth at the position, as he caught 51, 52, and 53 passes in each season from 2010-2012.