Philadelphia Eagles release Cullen Jenkins; Could Nnamdi be next?

The Eagles announced that they released defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins on Monday.

Jenkins' release was expected. The 32-year-old was scheduled to earn $5.6 million this season, $1 million of which would have come in a roster bonus on March 15. The Eagles are on the hook for approximately $1.1 million if Jenkins isn't signed by another team.

The Eagles have significant space, approximately $29 million after Jenkins' release. His exit could signal the end of Nnamdi Asomugha's tenure with the Eagles. The cornerback is due $4 million guaranteed, however, and the Eagles would have to eat all of that dead money.

Jenkins was signed to a five-year, $25 million contract in July, 2011, joining a number of other free agents the Eagles signed that would later be dubbed the "Dream Teamers."

He had a strong start with the Eagles, but tailed off at the end of his first season with the team. Jenkins did finish with 5-1/2 sacks in 2011. He agreed to have his salary restructured last off-season, a sign that 2012 would likely be his last with the Eagles.

"I had a chance to speak with Cullen today and let him know of our decision," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement. "It's one of the most difficult parts of the job. He has been a very productive player in this league for a long time but we felt it in our team's best interests that we go in a different direction."

Jenkins started in every game for the Eagles last season -- as he did in 2011 -- and recorded four sacks. Jenkins, a locker room leader, spent his first seven seasons in the NFL with the Packers.

He played in a 3-4 in Green Bay and could have been a fit in the Eagles' expected change to an odd-man front. But with the blossoming Fletcher Cox and the promising Cedric Thornton on the roster, the Eagles didn't have a need for what will likely be one three-technique defensive tackle on their line.