Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown is telling teammates he believes the team is going to try to either trade or release him, according to team sources.
Brown, 30, has 35½ sacks since 2004 and has been one of the Bears' most consistent performers.
But Chicago signed free-agent defensive end Julius Peppers, moved Israel Idonije from tackle to end and is still high on Mark Anderson, so Brown has become expendable.
It's also possible the Bears will move one of their young interior linemen, either Henry Melton or Jarron Gilbert, to the outside.
Brown was a fourth-round pick in 2002 and was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2006 and 2007.
Jeff Dickerson covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com.