It appears the Ravens and three-time Pro Bowl special teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo are parting ways.
Once officially released, the Ravens will have to eat $266,666 in dead money; however, they’ll save $1.762 million over the remaining two-years of the three-year extension Ayanbadejo signed prior to the start of the 2012 season. For purposes of this year’s salary cap, the Ravens will save $807,000.
Ayanbadejo tweeted the following on Wednesday afternoon:
Ayanbadejo’s release isn’t a surprise, it was almost expected. For most of his career, he’s been primarily a special teams contributor. Given that the Ravens are in penny-pinching mode, paying a 36-year old veteran to only pay special teams doesn’t make sense – especially when his price tag is roughly twice what it would cost for a rookie.
The 11-year NFL veteran will turn 37 prior to the first game of the regular season. The majority of linebackers his age wouldn’t even be considered for a roster spot but Ayanbadejo will likely be given another chance to at least attend training camp given his relentless workout regimen.
Ayanbadejo will now be fighting for more than equal marriage rights this offseason – he’ll be fighting for another job. Personally, Ayanbadejo was always nice to be around and I wish him nothing but the best in the future.
