Add another name to the free agent list when the new league year opens on March 9.
The Atlanta Falcons will cut defensive lineman Paul Soliai after the sides couldn't agree on a contract restructure to lower his $5 million salary for 2016, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
A big free agent signing just two years ago (five years, $32 million), the 32-year-old Soliai isn't a great fit for coach Dan Quinn's defensive system. Soliai excelled as a true two-gap nose tackle. The move to Quinn's penetrating 4-3 front last season meant a decline in Soliai's usage.
The Falcons will save $5.4 million on the salary cap this season if they designate Soliai as a post-June 1 cut (spreading his cap hit over the next two seasons) with $1.4 million in dead money.
A capable 3-4 nose tackle is a rare commodity, but given his declining play over the past two seasons we would expect teams to view Soliai as a borderline starter and rotational defender.
