Patriots Release Veteran Tight End Dwayne Allen To Free Up $7.3 Million In Cap Space

ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted yesterday that the Patriots notified tight end Dwayne Allen of his release ahead of free agency.

Patriots have informed tight end Dwayne Allen that they are releasing him, per source. They have expressed an interest in signing him back for less money, but he will be free.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2019

The Patriots will save approximately $7.3 million for the team's 2019 $188.2 million salary cap.

Officially, the salary cap for 2019 is $188.2M.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2019

Allen, 29, spent two seasons with the Patriots after spending the previous five as an Indianapolis Colt, starting in 16 of the 29 regular season games he appeared in. His release doesn't come as a surprise to many since he was never much of an offensive factor, as he recorded just 13 receptions on 113 yards in his two seasons, including just three on 27 this past one.

As a Colt, Allen recorded 126 receptions on 1,451 yards in his five seasons; however, one reception and 20 of those yards came solely in 2013, as he missed all but one game.

Like Schefter said, there's always a chance Allen could return at a cheaper price.