Reports surfaced Tuesday that the Redskins would be parting ways with linebacker Perry Riley and defensive lineman Stephen Paea as the team moved to 75 players and Riley tweeted a farewell to fans that seemed to confirm the news.
Coach Jay Gruden offered a more official confirmation when he met with reporters after the team’s practice. Gruden said that he thought highly of both players, but that the team liked others at the positions more when it came time to set the roster.
Riley has spent his entire career with the team and was a starter throughout most of the last five seasons, but Mason Foster took over at the top of the depth chart this summer. Riley was set to make $4 million in base salary this year and the team will take on just over $1 million in dead money by releasing him.
Paea signed a four-year deal with the Redskins before last season, but wound up in a backup role before ending the year on injured reserve. He was set to make $3.3 million this season, which was likely more than the team wanted to pay a player who had fallen down the depth chart.
