Tyvon Branch is no longer a member of the Oakland Raiders.
Despite being one of the key cogs of their defense over the past few years, one that made tremendous strides in the 2014 NFL season, the Oakland Raiders have officially released Tyvon Branch. A Connecticut product, Branch is just a few years removed from signing a long-term deal in Oakland. Although the move was made official today by Pro Football Talk, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported the news last week.
Raiders are releasing S Tyvon Branch. Will be very hot in a weak safety market. Signed lucrative deal in OAK not long ago
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 27, 2015
More from NFL
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Chargers loosen grip on checkbook to pay Justin Herbert: Best memes and tweets
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- Raiders: Saquon Barkley’s new contract may have screwed over Josh Jacobs
It’s no surprise that the Raiders have a treasure chest of cap space. However, considering they are in talks for basically every free agent, the Raiders were in need of more cap space. By parting ways with Branch, the Raiders do not have to pay him his $5.5 million contract in 2015. However, although this unit made strides in 2014, to reach their full potential, they would likely need a veteran presence. Considering Branch had played eight seasons in Oakland and he would be 29 years old in December, it made sense to keep Branch. It really says a lot about a player who stayed eight years with the same team, even though he was never apart of a team with an above-.500 record.
Although Branch has been productive in his career in Oakland, he has spent more time on the injury list over the past seasons than on the gridiron. A foot injury in 2014 kept him out for much of the season and a leg injury in 2013 did the same. The good news for Branch is that he will be entering a free agent market that really lacks safety talent. Considering this year’s draft doesn’t have a lot of safety talent, many teams will be in the market for Branch.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle
Add us as a preferred source on Google