The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... So why did the Falcons feel compelled to cut the retired Gonzalez on Tuesday? Per a league source, Gonzalez was due to receive a substantial bonus if on the roster as of Thursday. The Falcons had assumed that Gonzalez would file retirement papers, which would eliminate the bonus. The only problem? Gonzalez hasn’t filed his retirement papers.

Diehards Line: Whether an oversight or an intentional act, it forced the team’s hand. And as PFT's Mike Florio notes, it now gives Gonzalez maximum flexibility for 2014, in the event he decides to pull a Brett Favre and return. He won’t have to clear waivers, he won’t have to force a trade. Even if he doesn’t intend to come back, it makes sense that he has put himself in position where he has the widest possible range of options for the coming season.