Report: Eagles Will Release Trent Cole

According to a report, the Eagles will not be restructuring Trent Cole’s contract. They will be releasing him.

Two league sources tell Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly that Cole will not be back with the Birds. Adam Caplan notes that the team tried to redo his contract, but the two sides were unable to come to an agreement.

Cole, 32, would have carried an $11.625 million cap hit in 2015 under his current deal. By releasing him, the Eagles will be freeing up $8.425 million in cap space.

Cole had a tremendous career with the Eagles since the team drafted him in the fifth round back in 2005. He started 145 games during that span and totaled 85.5 sacks. After the team switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4, Cole did an admirable job making the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker.

He Tweeted out the following:

Taking trip to new hunting grounds that I'll have chance at a trophy of a lifetime!

— Trent Cole (@Pro_Hunt58) March 3, 2015

As for replacing him, the Eagles could try to re-sign Brandon Graham. But with the start of free agency just a week away, Graham very well could test the market and draw interest from 4-3 teams.

The Eagles have Connor Barwin at one OLB spot, but Marcus Smith II is a complete unknown. The team liked Travis Long, but he suffered a torn ACL last summer and has never played an NFL snap. Bryan Braman is a special teams player.

The team will undoubtedly have to look for OLB help in free agency. If they can’t bring Graham back, Steelers edge defender Jason Worilds could be an option.

Other potential fits include Washington’s Brian Orakpo and Tennessee’s Derrick Morgan.