Defensive veteran Ed Reed has officially been released by the Houston Texans.
According to USA Today, a source who has knowledge of the situation, spoke under the conditions of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced it yet.
Reed, 35, signed a three-year, $14.875 million contract with the Texans in March after 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens in hopes of chasing another Super Bowl. However, he was recently demoted to the No. 3 safety and played only in dime packages, which resulted in him playing just 12 snaps against the Cardinals in Week 11.
Reed went public with his displeasure after Sunday’s loss to Arizona, telling reporters that the Texans were both “outplayed” and “outcoached.” Those comments didn’t set well with headquarters and pretty much sealed his fate with the team. Reed, whose contract included $5 million guaranteed, now frees up reps for younger players.
The Texans got only 16 tackles for their $5 million guaranteed and a loss in every game Reed made an appearance this season–that’s seven.
He is subject to waivers, as all players are after the trading deadline, and could draw interest given his modest $1 million base salary, plus $62,500 roster bonuses for each week he’s active.
