The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off of a tough season and the team has a number of decisions to make going forward, including with cornerback Nmamdi Asomugha, who is one of the highest paid players in the NFL and could be released unless he restructures his contract with the team.
According to league sources that spoke to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Eagles are prepared to release Asomugha unless he fixes up his deal, which will pay him $15 million next season, including $4 million guaranteed.
The cornerback signed a five-year $60 million deal with the team in 2011 and although he was considered one of the top two corners in the league at the time, his play has greatly diminished over the past year. The report says that Asomugha and the team will be meeting at the scouting combine in Indianapolis on Friday.
Asomugha is a three time Pro Bowler and while with the Raiders from 2003 to 2010 he established himself as a premiere cover cornerback. When he signed with the Eagles many in the media thought the team was assembling a championship roster, but the team missed the playoffs after going 8-8.
Last season Asomugha had a rough year and so did the Eagles, as Andy Reid was fired after a 4-12 season. Asomugha has been a healthy player during his career, playing in at least 14 games in every season, including in all 16 in five of his nine years, but his production has slowed recently. He had three picks in 2011, but just one in 2012 and he has zero picks in 2010 with Oakland, but that was because no quarterbacks threw the ball his way.
Asomugha likely will stay with the Eagles, but if he feels they are trying to short him due to a down year, he may just decide to test the free agent market instead. The decision will be crucial for the Eagles going forward, as fellow corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is set to be a free agent and the team will need to know if they have to scout heavily at the position.
