Donnie Avery Released by Chiefs: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The Kansas City Chiefs, in need of an infusion of talent at wide receiver, have begun to rework the position by releasing Donnie Avery. 

The Chiefs confirmed the news via their Twitter account. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com was first to report the news:

This was pretty much a no-brainer for Kansas City. 

Avery, who missed a good chunk of the season due to injuries, finished 2014 with just 15 receptions, 176 yards and zero touchdowns. He was a healthy scratch the last three weeks of the year, falling to the bottom of the depth chart despite the Chiefs' lack of depth at the position. 

Moreover, not only does this give the Chiefs some much-needed cap room for free agency, it leaves only $500,000 in dead money, per Spotrac.com. Matt Verderame of ArrowheadPride.com noted one particular reasoning for freeing up the money: 

In terms of cuts, the Chiefs, who have very little cap space, shouldn't be done making moves. 

Albert Wilson, who showed flashes as a rookie, will step in as the second wide receiver behind Dwayne Bowe for now. But the Chiefs, who got zero touchdowns from their wide receivers all season, will certainly be targeting dynamic pass-catchers in free agency and the draft.