The Philadelphia Eagles parted with veteran cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha as expected Tuesday.
“Coach Kelly and I each had a chance to speak with Nnamdi earlier and he took the news with a lot of class,” said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. “We expected nothing less than that from him. He has been a true pro on and off the field for this organization and our community and we wish him all the best as he continues his NFL career. We spoke to his representatives at the Combine about his future status with the team and wanted to take time to analyze and make a decision. In the end, Coach and I both felt we needed to move in a different direction at the cornerback position for 2013 and beyond.”
CBS Sports reported the Eagles might have interest in a trade for cornerback Darrelle Revis, who has one year remaining on his contract with the New York Jets but is reportedly being shopped. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also interested in Revis, according to reports.
Asomugha lasted two years with the Eagles, who signed Asomugha, 31, to a four-year, $60 million free-agent deal before the 2011 season. The two-time All-Pro’s production the past two seasons failed to meet expectations he established as a shutdown man-to-man cornerback with the Oakland Raiders.
Asomugha will count $4 million against the Eagles’ salary cap next season, but the team wanted to avoid paying his base salary of $15 million in 2013.