The Ravens have made another move to clear salary cap space.
The team terminated the contract of veteran defensive end Chris Canty, just two days after also cutting wide receiver Jacoby Jones.
"First thing I want to do is thank Steve Bisciotti, Ozzie and Coach 'Harbs' for bringing me to Baltimore and allowing me to wear the purple and black," Canty said. "I am very proud to be a Raven. They are a great franchise, and I was privileged to be a contributor to that outstanding tradition of defense that is part of the team's lore."
Canty, 32, was heading into the final year of a three-year contract, but he was also considering retirement after 10 NFL seasons. His contract reportedly carried a $3.3 million salary cap hit, and cutting him now will reportedly free up about $2.6 million going into free agency.
Despite getting cut by the Ravens, Canty said he plans to return to the NFL next year.
"I am going to continue to prepare to play again and will explore other possibilities to play the game I love," Canty said.
As Canty considers his options, the Ravens left open the possibility of him ultimately returning to Baltimore.
"I know that Chris still wants to explore playing again, and he's preparing to do that," General Manager Ozzie Newsome said. "We certainly would not close the door to Chris coming back to us."
Canty has been a quality starter and valued locker room presence the last two seasons in Baltimore. He had 33 tackles, two passes defensed and a half sack last year.
"We are a better franchise for having Chris Canty with us the last two years," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "He added maturity and leadership. Chris played well and played a lot of snaps for us, especially last season. He was an outstanding contributor to our playoff season in 2014."
"He represents the best of what a Ravens player is: committed on the field and a shining leader in the community," Newsome added. "We thank him for everything he did for us the last two seasons."
Canty came to Baltimore after spending the first eight years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. He won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2011, and has never been part of a losing season throughout his NFL career.
"I love the coaching staff there, including the defensive staff. Dean [Pees], my line coach Clarence Brooks, Ted [Monachino] – really, all of them," Canty said. "What can I say about my teammates on that side of the ball? [They are] special players and good people, like 'Sizzle' [Terrell Suggs] and Haloti [Ngata]. Thank you. They helped me re-discover and continue my passion for football, a game I respect and love.
"I also want to thank Ravens fans. They embraced me immediately, and I embraced them back. They were inspirational."
