The Kansas City Chiefs are moving on from Dwayne Bowe.
The team announced Thursday that its parted ways with the wide receiver. Bowe became expendable when the team locked into an agreement with Jeremy Maclin on Sunday. Bowe has been reported as a possible cap casualty for years, but the Chiefs finally took the plunge to free up money for incoming guard Ben Grubbs.
"On behalf of my family and the entire Chiefs organization, I'd like to thank Dwayne for his contributions over the last eight seasons," Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. "During his time with the Chiefs, Dwayne established himself as one of the best receivers in club history. We wish Dwayne nothing but the best as he moves forward."
The release caps a slow fade from relevance in Kansas City for Bowe, who was one of the NFL's most dangerous receivers. Bowe led the NFL with 15 touchdowns in 2010, but his production steadily dipped in the years that followed. Bowe bottomed out in 2014, finishing with just 754 yards and no touchdowns.
Bowe, 30, was scheduled to make $10.75 million next season, an unmanageable figure after Maclin agreed to a multi-year contract that will average $11 million per year.
Despite his advanced age and declining production, it's too early to write Bowe off entirely. He never connected with Alex Smith, but he could rejuvenate his career if lands in the right spot. Bowe should attract a good deal of interest on the open market as teams survey their options in the second wave of free agency.
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