In an effort to give themselves more salary cap space, the Seattle Seahawks released wide receiver Sidney Rice and defensive end Red Bryant.
According to ESPN, Rice signed with the Seahawks as a free agent in 2011 while Bryant was drafted by them in 2008. Rice was released because he failed a physical.
Rice would have cost the Seahawks $7.3 million against the cap while Bryant would have cost $5.5 million as reported by CBS Sports. This saves the Seahawks $12.8 million in cap space.
Rice went down with a season-ending ACL injury in week 8 against the St. Louis Rams. He had 15 catches for 231 yards and three touchdowns before his injury. He previously played with the Minnesota Vikings from 2007 to 2010. He enjoyed a Pro Bowl season in 2009 with Brett Favre at quarterback. Rice caught 83 passes for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns.
Bryant's stats never stood out, but he was a vocal leader for the Seahawks' top defense and a defensive captain for the Seahawks starting in the 2012 season.
With Rice and Bryant gone the Seahawks will look to defend their Super Bowl championship.