Scott Chandler Released by Patriots: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The New England Patriots are making more moves to free up cap space, announcing they have released veteran tight end Scott Chandler on Wednesday.   

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss initially reported the move.

According to Reiss, by releasing Chandler and wide receiver Brandon LaFell, the Patriots will save nearly $4 million in cap space. 

The Patriots signed Chandler away from the Buffalo Bills, whom he spent four full seasons with and racked up 2,120 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was a solid role player in New England's offense last year, recording 259 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 15 games. 

However, being a tight end in New England is a difficult task because Rob Gronkowski is the No. 1 option. The Patriots were clearly favoring Michael Williams as the No. 2 tight end late in the season because of his blocking ability, as this snap count from Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke from Week 14 shows:

Chandler was set to make a $2 million base salary with a $3.05 million cap hit in 2016, per Spotrac. The Patriots are looking to clear up cap space this offseason in an effort to possibly sign some of their key defensive players, such as Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones, to long-term extensions soon, per Reiss. 

Few teams are able to manage the cap as well as the Patriots while continuing to play at an elite level year after year. Head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft know what works in their system and when to make a move before it's too late. 

Chandler will turn 31 in July, but he seems to have some good years ahead of him. He performed well in limited duty last season and can now explore situations in which the NFL's best tight end isn't blocking him on the depth chart.