Donte Whitner Released by Browns: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The Cleveland Browns announced they released defensive back Donte Whitner on Saturday. The 10-year veteran signed with the team in 2014 and promptly earned his third straight Pro Bowl appearance. 

Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown released a statement following the release, per the team's official website:

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It is important for us to thank Donte for all of his contributions to the Cleveland Browns over the last two seasons. His passion for this city and dedication to his craft was contagious. These are difficult decisions to make but we felt it was the best decision for the Browns at this time. We wish him the best as he continues his career.

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Whitner had two years remaining on the four-year, $28 million contract he signed prior to the 2014 season, but the Browns were not willing to pay the 30-year-old over the next two years, although they did have to eat a $4.5 million salary-cap hit, per Spotrac.

The safety confirmed the news with a simple tweet Saturday night:

The team has gone through an overhaul in the offseason, adding new front-office management and head coach Hue Jackson. The roster has changed as well, and Whitner is just one of many who will not return next season, per Dallas Robinson of ProFootballRumors.com:

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Whitner, who will turn 31 this summer, is the latest Brown to be released, as Cleveland also parted ways with linebacker Karlos Dansby and receiver Dwayne Bowe last month. Of course, those weren’t the only Browns who won’t be returning for the 2016 season, as the club has seen free agents Mitchell Schwartz, Alex Mack, Travis Benjamin, Tashaun Gipson, and Craig Robertson sign elsewhere over the course of the last month.

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Whitner's 81 tackles were second on the team last year, and he also recorded four pass breakups and 1.5 sacks.

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson doesn't think Whitner will have a problem finding another job:

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Wow! It is a crazy business! Blessing to the homie @DonteWhitner gonna land on his feet no doubt!

— Tashaun J. Gipson SR (@Gipson_duos24) April 3, 2016"

It appears as though Whitner was a cap casualty, and there should be at least one team that can use a three-time Pro Bowl safety with 11 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles and 58 pass breakups in his career.