PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have released cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, just two years after he was the NFL’s most sought-after free agent.

The Eagles announced the move in a statement Tuesday. General manager Howie Roseman says he and new coach Chip Kelly spoke to Asomugha and “he took the news with a lot of class.” Roseman says the Eagles talked to Asomugha’s agents at the NFL combine in Indianapolis last month about the cornerback’s future with the team. “In the end,” Roseman says, “Coach and I both felt we needed to move in a different direction at the cornerback position for 2013 and beyond.”

Asomugha was due to make $15 million this season, including $4 million guaranteed, after signing a five-year, $60 million deal with the Eagles in 2011.

Asomugha signed with the Eagles a year after they won the NFC East in a big summer splash of transactions that appeared to give Philadelphia the inside track to at least a conference title. Asomugha joined defensive linemen Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin as part of the new-look Eagles defense, and quarterback Vince Young was brought in to back up Michael Vick. There were stars aplenty, on both sides of the field, and it seemed like the sky was the limit for coach Andy Reid’s crew.

The Eagles, though, never came close to reaching their potential. They missed the playoffs in both seasons — including a 4-12 mark last year — and Reid was fired in January. Philadelphia allowed 444 points last season. Only New Orleans (454) was worse in the NFC.

Asomugha had just four interceptions as an Eagle.

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