The Oakland Raiders made some rather interesting news early Friday morning. The team is set to release veteran right tackle Austin Howard in what appears to be a cash dump.
Raiders will release OL Austin Howard… Made 39 starts along the Raiders offensive line the last three years
— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) July 28, 2017
For his part, the offensive lineman confirmed on Instagram that he has indeed been let go by the Raiders.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXFQg5lgY2Q/
Howard, 30, signed a lucrative five-year, $30 million contract with Oakland prior to the start of the 2014 season after starting all 16 games in each of his final two seasons with the New York Jets.
Since joining Oakland, the former Northern Iowa standout started 39 of the 40 games in which he appeared in over the course of three seasons.
The offensive lineman did have to undergo offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff, both of which dogged him throughout the 2016 season.
Oakland saves $3.6 million against the 2017 cap and will not have to pay his $5.4 million base salary for the 2018 season by releasing Howard.