The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released cornerback Darrelle Revis after failing to trade him to another team.
Revis was due to make a $1.5m (£900,000) bonus if he remained on the roster beyond 8pm GMT this evening as part of the trade the Buccaneers made with the New York Jets when they signed him last spring.
The deal also cost the Bucs a first-round pick in 2013 and a fourth-round pick in this year's Draft, although that would have become a third-round pick had Revis stayed with the team.
The 28-year-old joined Tampa Bay on a six-year $96m (£57.8m) contract before last season, and his release frees up salary cap space for the team, who are thought to be planning an overhaul of the roster under new head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht.
"We would like to thank Darrelle for his time and effort with our organization last year. Darrelle showed a lot of heart last year as he worked extremely hard to get himself back on the field following his knee injury sustained the previous season," Licht said in a statement.
"We have specific ideas regarding the best way to build this defense and, while you never like to lose a good player, we believe this is in the best interests of our team moving forward.
"Darrelle was a true professional here in Tampa Bay and we wish him continued success in his career."
Revis made 50 tackles, two interceptions and had 11 passes defended in his solitary season with the Buccaneers, figures that saw him voted to the Pro Bowl for a fifth time.
Barney Corkhill
