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Take it back Tuesday: Eagles make Riley Cooper their highest paid receiver

By Justin Grasso

Nov 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper (14) in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Buccaneers won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper (14) in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Buccaneers won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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After having a career season in 2013, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Riley Cooper to a long-term contract to make him their number one receiver.

Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper was drafted out of the University of Florida. He was the 159th overall in the 2010 draft. Surrounded by former Eagles’ superstars DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, there was little pressure for Cooper to be a game-changer. Well known for his outside blocking abilities and special teams skills, he came into Philadelphia with a small role.

His first three years on the Eagles roster weren’t exactly anything to get excited about. He had 679 total receiving yards and five total touchdowns. It wasn’t until 2013 when Cooper made himself a name around the NFL. Unfortunately for him, it was for all the wrong reasons. Before his breakout season in 2013, Cooper found himself in some trouble. While at a concert weeks before training camp, he was caught on video using racial slurs while threatening concert security guards. Normally a player would get cut for this kind of incident. Instead the Eagles dismissed him for a short period of time, then brought him back as training camp began.

An unwise decision

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Cooper would continue to be the subject of controversy. The video made its way around the internet. Some teammates expressed their displeasure with him while others chose to forgive him. Not only was the media causing a distraction, his teammates were causing distractions as well. During training camp, Cooper and former Eagles cornerback Cary Williams got into a shoving match during practice. Fortunately for the organization, nothing major happened as a result of the incident. The team put all of their issues aside and played football.

A shot at redemption:

With his future in doubt, Cooper made the most of his on-field opportunities in 2013. He ended up posting career-high numbers with 835 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Three of those scores came in the November match up against the Oakland Raiders, when former Eagles quarterback Nick Foles tied the single-game passing touchdown record. Cooper’s big day in Oakland may have been the game that won him the big contract. During the following off-season, Cooper signed a five-year deal worth 25 million dollars. Although Maclin was also on the roster, Cooper would eventually be the Eagles number one receiver in 2015, following a controversial decision to let Maclin walk.

Some things don’t go according to plan.

In the third and final season of the Chip Kelly era, Cooper had all eyes on him. Being the highest paid receiver often leaves spectators with high expectations. Cooper, however, only managed to put up 904 yards and five touchdowns over the course of the next two seasons. When Eagles owner Jeffery Lurie canned Chip Kelly, it was time to clean house. The Eagles wasted no time getting rid of Cooper, cutting him after his disappointing 2015 season. Five years in an Eagles uniform produced a few good memories, but Cooper is still waiting on a call from a team that would give him a second chance in the NFL. He’s heading into a second season without anyone choosing to make that call.

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