Updated: 6:12 p.m.
When the season ended, the Eagles hoped to restructure Trent Cole's contact and agree to a new one with Brandon Graham.
They were unable to do either and will lose two of their top pass rushers from last season.
According to league sources, Cole will be released, and Graham will become a free agent and not return as the Eagles continue to diligently turn over the roster under coach and personnel czar Chip Kelly.
Cole had hoped to become the rare Eagles star player who stayed in Philly, never left and retired here. His 85½ career sacks rank second on the franchise list behind Hall of Famer Reggie White.
Cole, an avid hunter, took to Twitter on Tuesday evening, sending out this message to his followers:
"Taking trip to new hunting grounds that I'll have chance at a trophy of a lifetime!"
NFL
He also tweeted: "Can't wait for the Auction Block Saturday," referring to the start of the "tampering" period.
Cole, 32, carried cap figures of $11.625 million in 2015, $12.6 million in 2016 and $14 million in 2017 as part of the extension he signed March 14, 2012. He had base salaries of $10 million in 2015, $10.9 million in 2016 and $13.9 million in the final year.
The two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher had said after the season that he’d be willing to redo his contract to preserve his roster spot in hopes that he could retire with the Eagles, but Kelly is turning the roster over and gearing up to reshape the team in his blueprint with younger players who fit the coach's vision.
Cole’s release will save the Eagles around $8.4 million in 2015, adding to their cap space, which is growing by the day.
Earlier Tuesday, they cut outspoken cornerback Cary Williams and late last week released Todd Herremans. Prior to that, they cut backup tight end James Casey. The moves should leave the Eagles with more than $41 million in cap space for free agency, which begins March 10.
But Graham's departure leaves them with no proven starter opposite Pro Bowl left outside linebacker Connor Barwin.
The most experienced outside linebacker behind Barwin will be Marcus Smith, last year’s 26th-overall pick who struggled and was moved to inside linebacker. The coaches haven’t committed to moving Smith back to outside linebacker.
But it’s also a strong market for edge rushers and the Eagles will have plenty of money to attract one of the market’s better prospects, such as Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds. Likewise, Cole shouldn’t have a problem finding a new home in free agency.
Unrestricted free agents can begin discussing potential deals with other teams on March 7, but Cole can talk with other teams as soon as the Eagles release him because he won’t be under contract.
Cole and Herremans were the long-tenured Eagles on the roster at season’s end. Three weeks later after Cole had signed his extension in 2012, Herremans had also agreed to a new deal.
At the time, the deals were considered uncharacteristic of the Eagles, who in the Joe Banner era were known for shying away from extensions for veterans approaching or over 30.
Cole said after the season finale that he’d be willing to work out a deal that would lower his cap hit.
"I want to do whatever we can to make things work, and hopefully it results in me being here," Cole said on the day he and his teammates cleaned out their lockers at the NovaCare Complex. "If it [doesn't], just gotta move on. I want to be here. I've been here 10 years. Time will tell, things will get done, and everybody will be happy.”
Cole, 32, started 15 games last season. He broke his hand in a Week 14 game, underwent surgery and returned for the season finale. He has started 145 of the 155 games he’s played since being drafted out of Cincinnati in the fifth round (146th overall) almost a decade ago by former coach Andy Reid.
Since then, the Eagles haven’t since drafted a defensive player who made a Pro Bowl while playing for them.
Cole recorded just 6½ sacks last season, the third-lowest of his career, but played far fewer snaps as he split time with Graham. Cole played 800 snaps, or 69 percent of the total defense. Barwin played 1,007, 87 percent.
Cole’s best days are behind him, and he’s transitioned from a longtime 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker in Kelly’s scheme. But he’s still an effective, well-rounded defender. He totaled 20 hurries last year, second on the team, along with 12½ sacks (third) and three forced fumbles (tied for third).
During the season he leapfrogged Clyde Simmons into second place all-time in sacks. He’s one more multi-sack game away from tying Simmons for second-most in franchise history (21) behind White’s 38.