Report: Seahawks Expected To Release DE Red Bryant

Alex Marvez of Fox Sports reports that the Seattle Seahawks are expected to release DE Red Bryant at some point in the near future.

• Marvez adds that Seattle plans on using the cap space saved from releasing Bryant to try and lock up impending free agent DE Michael Bennett.

Bryant, 29, is entering the third year of a five-year, $35 million contract he signed with the Seahawks back in 2012. He has a roster bonus of $3 million due on March 14 and will could $8.5 million against the team’s 2014 cap.

• Releasing Bryant would save them $5.5 million, according to OverTheCap.com.

In 2013, Bryant totaled 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks over the course of 15 games for the Seahawks. Pro Football Focus has Bryant rated as the No. 15 defensive end in a 4-3 system last year while being particularly strong against the run.

Bryant should be able to find a decent market in the coming days and being released now allows him to meet with NFL teams before free agency is underway.

It’s not going to be easy to re-sign Michael Bennett as he is in line to be one of the best defensive ends on the open market, and Seattle is currently projected to have a little less than $2 million in available cap space to work with.

We have Bennett listed as the No. 7 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.

We’ll have more as the news is available.