Offensive tackle Russell Okung will be released into the wind come March as the Denver Broncos informed the former Pro Bowler that they would not pick up his option for 2017.
The move gives the Broncos another $10.9 million in cap money to spend this season and avoids a huge $9.5 million hit in 2018. Okung was a first round pick for the Seattle Seahawks in the 2010 draft and started every game for them when he was healthy until 2015, claiming a Super Bowl title in the process.
Anyone going to be praising today the contract Russell Okung negotiated without an agent last year?
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 23, 2017
Okung hit free agency last season and signed a five-year, $53 million contract with the Broncos. Though the Broncos’ offensive line struggled last season, Okung wasn’t the problem and shouldn’t have any trouble finding another job in the league.
With Okung set loose, there are now three legit starting left tackles on the market with Ryan Clady and Kelvin Beachum all free agents at the same time. Seahawks general manager John Schneider made every effort to keep Okung in Seattle last season before free agency hit, so don’t be surprised to see a reunion happen in early March.
Tampa Bay releases Alterraun Verner
Three years ago the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were ecstatic to land cornerback Alterraun Verner in free agency. Now they’re just as pumped to see him go. Verner was sent to the bench last year with the emergence of first-round draft pick Vernon Hargreaves and found himself in the Bucs’ doghouse. He barely played at all the rest of the season.
Source: The #Bucs are releasing CB Alterraun Verner today. The future of Vernon Hargreaves helps explain this one for the former FA pickup
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 23, 2017
As a former Tennessee Titans, Verner is probably kicking himself that Jeff Fisher isn’t currently in the league since he seemed more than happy to toss money at his former players. As it is, Verner could easily catch on with former Fisher defensive coordinator Gregg Williams in Cleveland. Verner has started just nine games over the last two seasons, but played in all 32. Last season, in the slot for Tampa Bay, he was actually pretty effective when they let him on the field. He picked off a pass and defended seven passes.
Verner is just 28 and was a Pro Bowler in 2013 with the Titans. He likely won’t be unemployed long and, ironically, could end up with a team like the Los Angeles Rams, Fisher’s former squad, who may need to replace Trumaine Johnson in free agency (or find someone who can hold down the opposite side of the field if he doesn’t).
The cut saves the Buccaneers $6.5 million in cap space for 2017.
Jets cut Folk and Giacomini
The New York Jets are in the market for a new kicker after releasing Nick Folk Thursday. Folk is the second-leading scorer in franchise history and his 81.3 percent field goal accuracy is the highest in team history.
We have released K Nick Folk.
DETAILS → https://t.co/mjNqdxbplj pic.twitter.com/SESRQD3wP9
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 23, 2017
Folk was one of the highest paid kickers in the league and he earned it the hard way, by being the best scorer on a shitty team. Last year he made 87 percent of his field goals. Folk is just 32, which is not old for a kicker, and should be able to find a job easily. In fact, he should stay right where he is and sign with the Giants as soon as possible.
The Jets also cut right tackle Breno Giacomini after an injury-riddled 2016. His cut makes plenty of sense with the emergence of Brandon Shell, who started in Giacomini’s place last season once he went down. Giacomini had surgery on his back in January and says he should be ready for training camp for whatever team signs him.
The two cuts give the Jets $7.5 million in new salary cap space they desperately need as this is a team that should be in full rebuild mode. These two cuts could just be the beginning.
Hall of Fame Game set
The first game of the NFL preseason has been scheduled with the Dallas Cowboys facing off against the Arizona Cardinals at Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 3.
If you’ll recall, last year’s Hall of Fame Game was cancelled on the very day because field conditions at the stadium were so bad they were called “dangerous.” The new stadium, which should be up to the NFL’s standards, is currently under construction.
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