NFL Rumors: New England Patriots release Isaac Sopoaga

While New England Patriots’ fans are complaining that their team is once again not being very active and lost a key player (Aqib Talib, Wes Welker) to their biggest competition in the AFC (Denver Broncos) for the second consecutive season, the Patriots are busy attempting to free money up.

The Patriots have released defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston.

"The move to cut Sopoaga had been expected, as he had slipped down the depth chart and was inactive for the team’s final two 2013 regular-season games and both playoff contests. He was scheduled to earn a base salary of $3.5 million.Sopoaga will still receive a $1 million guarantee for 2014 as part of the contract that the Patriots inherited when they acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 29, 2013. The move gives the Patriots added salary-cap flexibility and reflects how the trade with the Eagles didn’t produce the desired results. New England will save $2.5 million by releasing Sopoaga."

The Patriots also cut offensive lineman Markus Zusevics.

Sopoaga had two tackles and one sack in six games for the Patriots last season.

Of course, dumping $2.5 million only adds fuel to the fire in regard to the Darrelle Revis rumors.