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Trent Cole's days in Philadelphia are over.
After failing to reach an agreement on a restructured contract, the Eagles will be releasing the veteran pass-rusher before the start of NFL Free agency, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan and CSN Philly's Geoff Mosher:
The #Eagles will be releasing Trent Cole after both sides could not agree on a revised contract, a league source confirmed.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 3, 2015
Did more digging. Told by two league sources that Trent Cole's days with the #Eagles are going to end. Team will eventually release him.
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) March 3, 2015
Cole is a solid pass rusher who has 14.5 sacks in the last two seasons, but with his cap number scheduled to be $11.6 million this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Cole finished 19th out 46 qualified 3-4 outside linebackers this past season with a 6.5 grade.
However, his extensive background as a 4-3 defensive end during the earlier parts of his Eagles career means a team like the Bengals could target him once he's released.
The former UC Bearcat entered the NFL in 2005, so Cole is not going to get a long-term deal with a lot of guaranteed money with the tread he's got on his tire. That could allow a small-spending team to sign him in the coming weeks once free agency opens.
It's possible Cole will try to sign with someone before next Tuesday's start of free agency signings begins. That way his market is bigger with more teams looking to add pass rushers. Once free agency begins, those needs could get filled and shrink Cole's market.