PHILADELPHIA -- Receiver Jeremy Maclin signed a one-year contract because he believes it is the best route to a long-term deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"Here's the thing," Maclin said. "I don't think it's a one-year deal."
The former first-round pick turned down a five-year offer from the team because "we didn't quite agree" on the terms, Maclin said. "I believe the two sides can come together and, with all we're going to go through this season, we can get something (long term) done."
The deal is for up to $6 million with $3.5 million guaranteed for 2014, a league source told ESPN NFL Adam Schefter. That means Maclin will get a chance to increase his market value in Chip Kelly's offense.
Maclin, 26, missed the final year of his original contract after tearing his ACL during a training-camp practice. In four seasons, he caught a total of 258 passes for 3,453 yards and 26 touchdowns.
The deal completed a busy week for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. He signed Maclin and Riley Cooper to new contracts that kept them from becoming free agents next week. Left tackle Jason Peters and center Jason Kelce, who were heading into the final years of their deals, signed long-term extensions.
"This was our plan here," Roseman said. "We're excited about being able to execute it. But it's just the start of the offseason. Free agency comes about, the draft comes about. We have to tie all those things together."
Roseman didn't address particular players, but it looks as if the team will allow safeties Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman and Colt Anderson to become free agents next week.
The new deals also likely mean the end of receiver Jason Avant's eight-year tenure with the team. Avant, 30, is due a $1 million roster bonus on March 15 and a total of $3 million for 2014.
As it is, the Eagles now have Maclin, Cooper and DeSean Jackson as their top three wideouts. Kelly used mostly three-wide-receiver sets in 2013 and that is expected to continue in 2014.
"When you look at how many offensive plays you have over the course of the season," Roseman said, "there's a lot of opportunities to spread the ball around, get people involved. I don't think you have to look any further than the Denver Broncos and how many options they have in their passing game and how big an advantage that is. That's what we're looking to do, we're looking to continue to be a dynamic, explosive offense."
Cooper said he had no interest in testing the market, that he wanted to remain with the Eagles. For Maclin, the injury complicated the situation. He did research into what his options might be.
"If you don't do it, you're not doing what you're supposed to do," Maclin said. "You look at everything around the league. You look at receiver depth, you look at quarterbacks, you look at cap room, you look at everything. That's what you have to do. My agent provided me with a lot of information."
There was speculation Maclin might draw interest from the New York Jets, where former Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg runs the offense, or Kansas City, where he could be reunited with head coach Andy Reid.
Ultimately, though, Maclin echoed his teammates by talking about how much he wanted to remain with the team that drafted him 19th overall in 2009.
"I think everybody likes each other," Maclin said. "That's what does it. You feel comfortable. It's a home environment. It's all about believing in them and having trust in them. They stuck to everything they said. That's the type of place I want to be.
"I think I made the best decision for my situation, I really do."