Indianapolis Colts cut OL Gosder Cherilus

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The Indianapolis Colts have released tackle Gosder Cherilus after playing just two seasons of his five-year contract.

Cherilus signed a five-year, $35 million dollar deal back in March of 2013. That deal made him the highest paid right tackle at the time. He started each game that season and even played in two postseason games. The next season, he started 13 games, but went on to miss the final games of the season due to a knee injury. He was placed on season-ending IR.

The former first round pick missed the whole Colts offseason due to his injury, and now being released, finds himself looking for a new team.

This move saves the Colts a ton of money, as they only paid Cherilus $16.5 million of his salary. The remaining amount, $18.5 million, was not guaranteed. Their investment was not paying off, so they cut their losses and moved on.

As for the hole at right tackle, it seems as if the job will go to Cherilus’ backup, Jack Mewhort. He filled in for Cherilus at the Colts OTA’s and in their minicamp.

The Colts are coming off of a great season, making it to the AFC Championship game for the first time in the Andrew Luck era. They lost to the Patriots (with or without the use of regular footballs), but managed to prove to the world they are one of the league’s best teams. The releasing of Cherilus helps them clear up room, and focus on the future.