Atlanta Falcons release Tony Gonzalez, save major cap space

A future Hall of Fame member was cut from the ranks today. The Atlanta Falcons officially released tight end Tony Gonzalez Tuesday afternoon, according to Jay Adams.

The move saves the Falcons $7 million in cap space. Gonzalez didn't file his retirement paperwork, for reasons unknown at the moment, which forced the team to resort to this measure.

Dimitroff on Gonzalez: "This was a decision we had to make with the start of the new league year as we begin retooling our roster for 2014."

— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) March 11, 2014

Tension could be lingering following Gonzalez's comments about the 2013 season. He did not seem happy with the front office's decision to keep him around instead of trading him to a contender.

Maybe he's still mulling over his retirement. Maybe he just really doesn't want to work with Shannon Sharpe. Who knows? Either way, the Falcons are still in good shape with their checkbook. Dimitroff can continue his spending spree.