Randle El
The Washington Redskins roster underwent a major overhaul Thursday afternoon as the team announced the release of several key players from last year’s roster.
Randy Thomas, Fred Smoot, Antwaan Randle El and Rock Cartwright have all been given their walking papers according to various NFL sources.
Thomas had been a main-stay on the offensive line since joining the team in 2003.
For Smoot, this is the second time he will leave the Redskins—the first coming in 2005 when he joined the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent. He had two years remaining on a five-year deal.
Randle El, meanwhile, had been with the team since 2006 where he split time as a return man and wide receiver.
Cartwright has been a fan favorite in Washington, having spent his entire career with the team. The Redskins drafted the running back in the seventh-round of the 2002 NFL Draft.
The releases come just hours before the free agency period begins. Daniel Snyder and company are expected to do some serious off-season shopping.