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.