It’s not every day that you see a starter thrown into the unemployment line in late July. But that’s exactly what happened with former Indianapolis Colts starting right tackle Gosder Cherilus, who was cut by the team on Sunday.
Just two years after signing a five-year, $35 million deal with Indianapolis, the team cut the cord on an experiment that hasn’t exactly paid dividends over the past couple seasons.
Colts released OT Gosder Cherilus, a big-ticket free agent import from a couple years ago.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 26, 2015
Cherilus, 31, did start 29 games in two seasons with the team. However, continual knee issues forced him to miss the Colts off-season activities—a situation that made it easier for the team to cut ties with him.
This past season saw the former Detroit Lions first-round pick allow six sacks and 27 quarterback hurries while grading out as the 70th-best offensive lineman in the NFL (via Pro Football Focus, subscription required).
In lieu of throwing the veteran out there for one more season, Indianapolis plans on starting Jack Mewhort at right tackle. The 2014 second-round pick started 14 games at left guard last season. And despite his lack of experience playing tackle in the NFL, the Penn State product can’t possibly be a downgrade from Cherilus.
By releasing the veteran, Indianapolis takes a near $9 million dead money hit over the next two seasons. Needless to say, it really didn’t want Cherilus on the team moving forward.
Photo: USA Today Sports