"The Eagles said yesterday they plan to release running back Brian Westbrook, thus ending their relationship with one of organization's greatest players and one of the few remaining cogs from coach Andy Reid's best teams.

Reid informed Westbrook by telephone while Westbrook was at his horse farm in Upper Marlboro, Md., yesterday morning.

"This is a tough day for the Philadelphia Eagles," Reid said at the NovaCare Complex. "Anytime you have to release a player like Brian Westbrook, that's not an easy thing to do. . . . Brian was tremendous with it and very professional with it."

Westbrook could not be reached for comment. Messages left with his agent, Todd France, were not returned. In a recent interview with Dan Rather, the 30-year-old said he has no plans on retiring.

"My goal is to get back out there and play football again," Westbrook said. "That's what I'm going to train this off-season to do."

At the time, Westbrook was "not sure" if he would be back with the Eagles for a ninth season. The possibility seemed highly unlikely in light of his age, past injuries, the two concussions he suffered in 2009, and his hefty salary.

Westbrook was due to earn $7.25 million in the final year of his contract.

A team source said that the team would not pursue signing Westbrook at a lesser deal. Reid said the decision was made 10 days before the new league year and free agency opened so that Westbrook could have "an opportunity to hook on with another football team."

He will officially be cut March 5."