Former number one overall draft pick Mario Williams is released by the Buffalo Bills, who place the franchise tag on Cordy Glenn
That is despite the defensive end having two seasons left on a six-year, $100m contract signed back in 2012.
Had he been retained, Williams would have counted $19.9m against the Bills' salary cap. This means that the club will save $12.9m against their salary cap for 2016 by releasing him.
The first overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Texans, Williams spent six seasons in Houston before signing with the Bills ahead of the 2012 season. His $100m deal was the most lucrative for a defensive player in the NFL at the time. It also made him the team's highest-paid player every season since his arrival.
After enjoying three years with double-digit sacks, Williams struggled following the arrival of head coach Rex Ryan last year. In 15 starts, Williams managed just 19 tackles and five sacks, both accounting for his second-lowest totals of his decade-long NFL career.
Williams is a former four-time Pro Bowl selection - two of those coming while in Buffalo - having made 38.0 sacks between 2012 and 2014, the fourth-most in the entire NFL over that period.
While Williams has gone, one player that will be staying in Buffalo is Cordy Glenn.
That is because general manager Doug Whaley has placed the franchise tag on the left tackle. That will cost the Bills $13.7m in 2016, although the club will look to tie down a long-term option.
They have placed the non-exclusive tag on Glenn, which allows other teams to talk to him as well.