The Eagles released Chris Maragos on Friday after five seasons with the team.

Signed by the Eagles as an unrestricted free agent in 2014, Maragos cemented his status as one of the league's preeminent special teams players with a team-best 49 tackles during his tenure. In 2014, Maragos led the squad with 14 special teams tackles, forced a fumble, blocked a punt, and scored his first NFL touchdown. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate for his play that season. The Eagles ranked first in the league in special teams play twice in Maragos' first three seasons in Philadelphia, including that 2014 campaign.

"We are grateful for Chris Maragos' contributions to the Philadelphia Eagles over the last five seasons," the team said in a statement. "A captain on our Super Bowl LII-winning team, Chris' leadership on and off the field and his ability to connect with teammates, coaches and fans made him a valuable member of this organization and the community.

"Chris solidified himself as one of the best special teams performers in the NFL and played a crucial role in the success of our team. We wish Chris and his family all the best."

One of the best underdog stories inside the Eagles' locker room, Maragos earned the respect of his teammates as he was named a captain in 2017, the first year the team assigned permanent captains. Maragos suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 6 win over Carolina, and it kept him sidelined for the run to the Super Bowl as well as all of 2018.

A two-time walk-on in college at both Western Michigan and Wisconsin, Maragos originally entered the league as a rookie free agent with the 49ers in 2010. He went to the division-rival Seahawks in 2011 and was a key special teams contributor in their Super Bowl-winning campaign of 2013.