Veteran defensive lineman Cory Redding, viewed as a possible cap casualty for the Cardinals, has officially been released by the team, according to a press release. As a vested veteran, Redding will become an unrestricted free agent without first passing through waivers.
The Cardinals entered the day with just $2.29MM in cap room, according to Over the Cap’s data. That gave the team the second-least amount of cap space in the NFL, limiting the club’s flexibility. Cutting Redding will reduce his cap hit from $4MM to $1MM, removing his non-guaranteed $3MM salary from the Cardinals’ books and creating a little more breathing room.
As Darren Urban writes at AZCardinals.com, Redding contemplated retirement before signing with the Cardinals last year. After playing a limited role in Arizona in 2015 – he failed to make a start for the first time since his 2003 rookie year – the 35-year-old may mull retiring once again. For now though, he’ll be a free agent, with the freedom to sign anywhere.
In his 12 games last season, Redding played 183 defensive snaps, picking up five tackles and two passes defended. He did show a knack for coming up with big plays, grabbing his second career interception, and recovering a pair of fumbles, including one for a touchdown.
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