Philadelphia Eagles release Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis

The Philadelphia Eagles released Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis on Thursday, ending a contract stand-off that had continued through two off-seasons.

Mathis, 33, had been absent from organised team activities as he sought an upgrade to his contract, which was due to pay him $5.5 million this year and $6 million next year.

The team have yet to confirm the move but Mathis appeared to confirm it when he tweeted: "Thanks for the memories Philly."             

Mathis, a third-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2005, had played the past four seasons in Philadelphia.

He missed seven games last season with a sprained MCL but was still picked to the Pro Bowl for the second straight year.

Last year, Philadelphia gave Mathis and his agent Drew Rosenhaus permission to find a trade partner willing to acquire Mathis’ services but they were unable to do so. The team granted the same permission this offseason.

"Evan's been available to trade for two years now and we've never had an offer for him," Kelly said during the NFL draft.

"That's through his agent and him. They've asked if he could renegotiate a contract and see what he could get and we've obliged him with that, but we've never had an offer."

Mathis is the second of last season's starting guards released by the Eagles this off-season. Right guard Todd Herremans was cut in March before subsequently signing a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts.

Veteran Allen Barbre has been playing at left guard in Mathis' absence during recent OTA practices while Matt Tobin looks the most likely replacement for Herremans on the right side.