National Football League

Matt Leinart released by Cardinals

Published Sep. 4, 2010 7:15 p.m. ET

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The Arizona Cardinals have released quarterback Matt Leinart. Coach Ken Whisenhunt informed the former USC standout Saturday of the team's decision.

Leinart was the 10th overall pick for the Cardinals in the 2006 draft. He lost out to Derek Anderson for the team's starting quarterback job this preseason.

''In fairness to Matt, I think that it would be a tough position for him to be in a backup role,'' coach Ken Whisenhunt said. ''Maybe a fresh start for him is what would be a good thing, for all of us.''

The Cardinals tried to trade Leinart but found no acceptable deal. By cutting Leinart, Arizona doesn't have to pay him the $2.5 million he was due for the coming season, not to mention the $7.4 million, plus a $5.5 million roster bonus, he was scheduled to make next season.

The team's decision was not unexpected and Whisenhunt, who gave Leinart numerous opportunities to challenge Kurt Warner for the starting job in previous seasons, personally told the Cardinals' one-time signature player that he was being cut loose before publicly announcing the move. NFL teams had to reduce their rosters to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET.

Whisenhunt called Leinart Saturday morning to deliver the news, the quarterback's agent told the Los Angeles Times.

That phone call epitomizes the tumble that has been Leinart's checkered five-year NFL career. He started the 2010 preseason as Arizona's No. 1 quarterback but it became apparent quickly that Leinart, 27, was not seizing his latest chance to take over the Cardinals' offense.

Late last month, Whisenhunt turned the starting job over to Anderson. When asked what he was looking for from the Cardinals' new No. 1 quarterback, Whisenhunt said simply: "First downs."

In 17 NFL starts and 29 appearances, Leinart had 340 completions with 14 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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