Braylon Edwards Released by New York Jets

Since catching 16 touchdowns for the Cleveland Browns in 2007, wide receiver Braylon Edwards' career has been in steady decline. It's possible that he has now reached a new low, however, as the New York Jets released him in their first wave of preseason cuts on Monday, according to the team's official Twitter account.

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The Jets have released WR Braylon Edwards. The roster is now at 75 players in advance of Tuesday's NFL deadline: http://t.co/aBNNRqtLY2

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 26, 2013"

Edwards, who played for the Jets during the 2009, 2010 and 2012 seasons, was re-signed by New York back in July. The Jets' front office hoped that Edwards could bolster a receiving corps rife with injuries and inexperience.   

The 30-year-old veteran failed to outperform youngsters such as Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill during training camp, however, and Santonio Holmes' removal from the physically unable to perform list ultimately turned the numbers game against Edwards.

Edwards' release is telling because the Jets arguably have the worst offensive personnel in the league. Not only does their wide receiver group lack credibility, but the quarterback combination of Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith also leaves a lot to be desired. Edwards has been a playmaker in the past; however, the Jets clearly feel as though he can no longer get the job done.

Since the end of Edwards' first tenure with the Jets, he has played for the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, but he totaled just 23 catches between the NFC West rivals. The Jets claimed Edwards off waivers last season after the Seahawks decided to move on, and while he managed 10 receptions in three games, he failed to truly stand out.

Edwards seemed to be a surefire star when the Browns selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft out of Michigan, but aside from his 2007 All-Pro campaign, Edwards has always been an underachiever at the NFL level.

Most outsiders consider the Jets to be an organization in disarray, so getting released by them may not spell the end of Edwards' NFL career quite yet, but the fact that so many franchises have given up on him in recent years certainly doesn't bode well for him moving forward.

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