Former Ohio State center Nick Mangold announced on Twitter Saturday afternoon will be released by the New York Jets after 11 seasons with the team.
— Nick Mangold (@nickmangold) February 25, 2017
Mangold, a Centerville native who turned 35 last month, was taken by the Jets in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He has played 164 games with the team and was named to the Pro Bowl seven times.
Mangold has one year left on his contract, which would pay him $6.075 million. An early release, however, gives him a head start on free agency, which begins on March 9.
UPDATE: New York officially released Mangold shortly after 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Jets owner Woody Johnson had the following statement:
"For the past 11 years, Nick Mangold has been a cornerstone of our team both on and off the field. As our Pro Bowl center, Nick consistently demonstrated superior skill and unmatched toughness. Equally important, off the field, Nick exhibited respect, sensitivity and compassion for the causes he supported. It has been a privilege to have known Nick these many years and, for all of us, I say Nick will always be a Jet."
