In a move that pretty much everyone expected, the Oakland Raiders are reportedly set to release free-agent bust LaMarr Woodley after one unproductive season with the team.
Woodley, 30, was playing out of position in Oakland’s 4-3 scheme last season. After struggling to see any action in the team’s first six games (five total tackles and zero sacks), the veteran pass rusher missed the final 10 games with a bicep injury.
The former second-round pick and Pro Bowl performer with the Pittsburgh Steelers had signed a two-year, $10.35 million contract with Oakland last offseason. However, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie structured the deal so that there wouldn’t be a cap hit should Woodley not return in 2015. Now that this is an eventuality, Oakland saves nearly $5.2 million against the cap.
As it relates to Woodley, it’s possible that his NFL career is over. The aforementioned bicep injury was seen as serious and potentially long term when he suffered it this past October. Whether Woodley attempts to latch on with another team will depend on how he recovers from said injury.
With Woodley’s release, Oakland is now about $57.5 million under the cap.
Photo: USA Today