Buccaneers cut Alterraun Verner to save cap space

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released cornerback Alterraun Verner, the team just announced. This move will save the Bucs $6.5 million against the cap which....they don’t really need, but can’t hurt: they now have around $68 million in free cap space based on Over The Cap’s numbers.

Verner was one of the Bucs’ big free agency signings in Lovie Smith’s first year as head coach, signing a four-year, $25.75 million contract after coming off a Pro Bowl season. Verner made it through three of those four years, but never lived up to his deal, getting benched repeatedly in his final two seasons.

Verner ultimately played 46 games for the Bucs, starting 23 and four interceptions and 20 passes defensed. He had a few good games and wasn’t all bad, but he simply wasn’t worth the money the team was paying him.

With Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves on the roster, the Bucs have no more need for Verner’s services. The team also has Jude Adjei-Barimah and Javien Elliott as competent slot cornerbacks, and is likely to re-sign Josh Robinson as a backup.