Eagles release Riley Cooper

In an expected move, the Philadelphia Eagles released wide receiver Riley Cooper on Monday. Cooper was scheduled to count for $5.3 million against the salary cap in 2016.

Cooper, 28, had been with the Eagles since 2010, when he was drafted in the fifth round out of Florida.

The Eagles chose to keep Cooper on the roster, and Cooper rewarded them the following season with 88 catches and eight touchdowns.

Cooper may find it hard to catch on with another team, as his skills may not be in high enough demand to risk a negative reaction from other players. The deal included a $4 million signing bonus.

Cooper is a bit of a polarizing figure, as he was once recorded at a concert using racial slurs.

When Cooper returned after a few days, he spoke with teammates as well.

But Cooper could never duplicate that 2013 season. That changed in 2013 when Cooper had by far his best season, which was Chip Kelly’s first season as head coach. His role in the Eagles’ deep passing game was minimized as quarterbacks Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez struggled to throw the ball downfield. He became a surplus receiver this season with 21 receptions for 327 receiving yards and two touchdowns.