TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Cardinals released defensive tackle Darnell Dockett on Friday -- a move Dockett seemed to foreshadow with a tweet earlier this week.
The move doesn't preclude Dockett's return, and the Cardinals are at least publicly saying they still want him back.
"With the energy he brings to the defense, he is the heart and soul of our team," GM Steve Keim said near the end of the regular season.
By releasing Dockett the team saves $6.8 million in cap space as it approaches the free-agent signing period (starting March 10), where Keim said the Cardinals will be aggressive. Dockett, who will turn 34 in May, was due to make $6.55 million in 2015. His release creates $3 million in dead money.
"We have been very clear about our feelings for Darnell and our desire to have him back," Keim said in a statement Friday. "After speaking with him and his representatives, we decided that this move today makes the most sense for both the team and the player and allows each to keep all of its options open."
The Cardinals selected Dockett in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft, and he appeared in 158 regular season games in 10 seasons with the team. He has 349 career tackles, 40.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and 12 fumble recoveries.
Dockett was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007, 2009, and 2010. He missed all of last season after he suffered a knee injury in a training camp practice on Aug. 18.
When discussing the possibility he might not be back with the team during the past season, Dockett shrugged.
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