The Cardinals have made a cap casualty out of Jasper Brinkley, releasing the veteran linebacker today, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter). Brinkley’s cap number of $2.2MM will be reduced to $200K in dead money, saving Arizona $2MM on the 2014 cap.
Brinkley, 28, spent one season with the Cardinals after starting his NFL career with the Vikings. As a full-time starter in Minnesota in 2012, Brinkley ranked among the worst inside linebackers in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In part-time action for Arizona this past season, he received better grades, particularly as a run-stopper, but he was too expensive for the Cardinals to keep around as a bench player.
As a five-year veteran, Brinkley will immediately become an unrestricted free agent without having to pass through waivers. He’ll be able to sign with another team prior to March 11.