NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Less than 24 hours after the announcement that the Tennessee Titans would be releasing three-time Pro Bowl running back DeMarco Murray, the salary cap claimed its next three victims.
The @Titans have informed quarterback Matt Cassel, safety Da’Norris Searcy and receiver/special teamer Eric Weems that they will be released.
STORY: https://t.co/1zXzwteGKH pic.twitter.com/DtpNjhKgj0
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 9, 2018
Da’Norris Searcy, the 29-year old safety drafted out of North Carolina, was released by Tennessee after three years in Nashville. Searcy, relegated to the role of the third safety in former coordinator Dick LeBeau’s defense, joined the team in 2015 as a free agent after spending his first four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He accumulated 236 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 26 passes defensed and eight interceptions (one for a touchdown) in 107 career games. The Titans signed the seven-year vet to a contract worth $23.75 million over four years; he was set to count for $4.975 million against the cap in 2018 and will account for $1.125 million in dead money.
Searcy was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2019.
Cassel spent two years in a back-up role for starting quarterback Marcus Mariota and played in six games (two starts) during his time in Nashville. His lone start in 2017 came in a loss in Miami to the Dolphins while Mariota worked his way back from a hamstring injury. A
Nashville, TN – September 13, 2017 – St. Thomas Sports Park: Matt Cassel (16) of the Tennessee Titans speaks with the media after practice (Photo by Buck Reising / ESPN Nashville).
13-year NFL veteran, Cassel’s career saw him spend time with the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys before coming to Tennessee. Journeyman passer Alex Tanney and undrafted Western Kentucky product Tyler Fergueson remain as back-up quarterback options under contract.
Cassel was scheduled to account for $2.5 million against the salary cap in the second year of his two-year $5.25 million dollar deal. His release accrues no dead money.
Weems, the most recent addition of the three by general manager Jon Robinson, came to the Titans on a two-year $2.425 million contract by way of the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears. Undrafted out of Bethune-Cookman in 2007, the 32-year old was brought in with the expectation that he would contribute to the improve the sub-par special teams unit in Tennessee.
The release of Weems clears $1.35 million in salary cap wiggle room.
The release of Cassel, Weems, Searcy and Murray brings Tennessee’s estimated cap space to well in excess of $60 million this offseason.
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