3:38pm: The Saints have officially released Moore, according to the league’s transaction wire.
10:28am: A day after being involved in trade rumors, wide receiver Lance Moore is being released by the Saints, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Moore hinted at the news earlier this morning, tweeting, “Thank you New Orleans for an amazing nine years. Who Dat Nation, the best on earth!!!” The tweet suggested the team had told the veteran receiver he’d been cut or traded.
Moore, 30, had been one of the longest-tenured Saints, acting as a target for Drew Brees‘ for the last several seasons. However, Moore’s 2013 receptions (37), receiving yards (457), and receiving touchdowns (2) were his worst totals since an injury-plagued 2009. The decreased production, combined with the presence of 2013 fifth-rounder Kenny Stills and the team’s need to pay star tight end Jimmy Graham, contributed to Moore’s exit from New Orleans.
While there had been two years remaining on Moore’s contract, the Saints won’t be on the hook for a number of roster and workout bonuses owed to him in 2014 and 2015. Overall, the veteran receiver’s $5.069MM cap number for ’14 will be reduced to a dead money charge of about $2.538MM, creating $2.531MM in cap savings for the club.
As for Moore, he’ll immediately become an unrestricted free agent, joining a class that includes Hakeem Nicks, Eric Decker, Golden Tate, and Julian Edelman, among others.