Maclin likely to sign a one-year deal too.
The Philadelphia Eagles could be set to announce a new deal with wide receiver Riley Cooper as soon as Thursday, according to multiple reports.
General manager Howie Roseman has insisted throughout the process that he was hopeful of getting Cooper to come back, while Jeremy Maclin looks set to sign a one-year deal too.
“We’re going to try to keep our best players and the guys that we feel are part of our culture and that fit well into the chemistry of our football team on and off the field,” Roseman said Wednesday, as reported by ESPN.
“It’s an important message for us this offseason. We know these players. We’ve lived with them.”
Maclin was Philadelphia’s first-round pick in 2009 and in 59 games he has caught 258 passes for 3,453 yards and 26 touchdowns.
However, seemingly ready to continue to impress with the arrival of new head coach Chip Kelly last year, he missed the entire season after tearing his ACL during a training camp practice.
That in turn allowed Cooper more playing time after he was selected as a fifth-round pick in 2010, playing in 16 of the 17 games last season and after striking up chemistry with quarterback Nick Foles, he finished the campaign with 47 catches for 835 yards and eight touchdowns.
The impending free agency of the duo was described as “complicated” by Roseman, as he has salary cap issues to consider with DeSean Jackson and veteran Jason Avant, with the latter a candidate to be released or at least have his salary cut.
Maclin conceded last month that given the nature of his injury and having spent so long on the sidelines, he was prepared for an offer of just a one-year deal, and is reportedly discussing his situation with his agent on Thursday.
Following their playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints last season, the Eagles will be looking to come back stronger as coach Kelly now has experience to go with his entertaining style, and Cooper and Maclin are expected to be fundamental parts of their progress.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have already done business this off-season, as they confirmed that left tackle Jason Peters had agreed to a five-year, $51.3m contract which will now likely lock in the six-time Pro Bowl star for the rest of his career.
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