The Kansas City Chiefs released cornerback Brandon Flowers on Friday. He had been absent a lot from voluntary workouts the last three weeks.

Flowers was a second-round pick for the Chiefs in 2008. He signed a six-year, $50 million deal in 2011. This season he would have made $5.25 million. By releasing Flowers the Chiefs will save about $7.25 million in cap space this year and about $7.5 million in cap space next year, according to Fox Sports. The Chiefs could use the money that they save to sign quarterback Alex Smith and linebacker Justin Houston, who are in the final year of their contracts, to contract extensions.

''We appreciate Brandon's contributions to the team over the last six seasons,'' Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said in a statement. ''It's in the best interest of the club and the player to part ways at this time. We wish him nothing but the best as he continues his career.''

In six seasons with the Chiefs Flowers played in 88 games. He has 421 tackles, two sacks, and 17 interceptions, according to the Associated Press. Two of the 17 interceptions he returned for a touchdown. After he was released Flowers thanked the Hunt family, who owns the Chiefs, his teammates, and the fans ''for some great years,” on Twitter.

Flowers might not have to wait very long to find a new team. According to ESPN, the Atlanta Falcons have already expressed interest in him.