In a move that is somewhat baffling, Jets Insider.com has confirmed through several sources that the team will release six time Pro Bowl center, Kevin Mawae.
The thirty five year old 12 year veteran has been with the Jets since 1998 before starting his career in Seattle. He had played in 177 consecutive games before tearing a triceps muscle and missing the final ten games of last season.
The team, under the gun to cut 11 million to get within the salary cap, decided to release Mawae after reported attempts to restructure his deal were not successful. What makes the move even more questionable is that it will only save the team around $1.6MM in cap space for this year.
With T Jason Fabini also cut last week and possibly G Pete Kendall on his way out, the team’s offensive line is in shambles. The move to release Mawae is surprising, despite his cap number, due to his past reliability and excellent presence in the Jets lockerroom. Mawae, the team’s unofficial ambassador since he was signed was always a class act and will be greatly missed. He should have no problem finding a new team to play for. There are already rumors that the Eagles are interested in him.
Negotiations with QB Chad Pennington to re-do his contract are still in progress and will likely go into the evening. Sources tell Jets Insider.com that both sides are confident a new deal can be hammered out before the 10PM deadline this evening. There have also been rumblings that a deal to trade John Abraham may be completed by this evening as well with Denver, Detroit or Cleveland as possible suitors.
Be sure to check back to Jets Insider.com for more information on this breaking story.
