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Curtis Lofton released by New Orleans Saints

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) on the bench during the fourth quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Bengals defeated the Saints 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) on the bench during the fourth quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Bengals defeated the Saints 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints released Curtis Lofton on Monday after the team failed in trying to find a trade partner for the veteran linebacker.

Less than five days after putting Curtis Lofton on the trading block, the New Orleans Saints released the veteran inside linebacker and clear more than $4 million in salary cap space.

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Lofton, 28, was in the middle of a five-year, $27.5 million contract and got out of the deal after he started every game for the sixth straight season and has started 111 of his 112 career games with the Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to break the news that the Saints are parting ways with their leading tackler who thrived in Rob Ryan’s scheme the last three years.

NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport reports the Saints cut him with a failed physical designation after he had voluntary shoulder surgery in January and is expected to be fully recovered enough to pass a team’s physical in the next two-three weeks.

Lofton turns 29 in June so he won’t find a team willing to give him a five-year deal he got a couple of seasons ago from the Saints when he left the Falcons, but he hasn’t missed one game in his entire NFL career and has been incredibly consistent in the middle of the Saints defense.

He is coming off a 145-tackle season but doesn’t make the splashy plays teams covet from their inside linebackers. Lofton has seven sacks in his seven-year career with three interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Last year, Lofton has zero sacks, interceptions and one forced fumble and recovery.

For teams running a 3-4 defense and need a veteran inside linebacker to fill a spot, such as the Chicago Bears where he could be reunited with former Saints front office member and first-year Bears general manager, Ryan Pace, he could be an attractive option on the free agent market, provided he’s recovered from the shoulder scope.

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