The New York Jets released cornerback Antonio Cromartie on Monday.
The release comes one year into a four-year $32 million deal that Cromartie signed last March in which he was suppose to make $8 million this year but his contract had no guaranteed or dead money, according to Fox Sports. The Jets will save $8 million in salary cap space by releasing him. The team is projected to be $13 million under the $155 million salary cap.
"I would like to think the Jets organization for bringing me back this past season," Cromartie wrote on Instagram. "I had a lot of fun and I know my first (half) of the season didn't go well and I thank you guys for pushing and believing in me to keep me on the field so I could finish strong. Today is a sad day for me not because of my release but the guys I became really close in our DB room."
Cromartie spent his first four seasons with the San Diego Chargers. In 2010, he was traded to the Jets. He played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2014 before he returned to New York this past season. In 2015, he had 26 tackles, one fumble recovery, allowed a team-high seven touchdown passes and failed to have an interception for the first time since his rookie season, according to ESPN. He was the Jets leading kickoff returner averaging 25.1 yards per return. Cromartie has 31 interceptions and has made the Pro Bowl four times in his 10-year career.
Buster Skrine, Marcus Williams and Dee Milliner are the Jets options for Cromartie’s replacement. Williams is expected to be named the starter.