The Facts: The Falcons are releasing Freeman, source tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, saving more than $3 million against the salary cap and moving on from their former starter.

Diehards Line: Freeman signed a five-year, $41.25 million contract ahead of the 2017 season. The release will leave $6 million of dead money on the cap. They could clear an additional $3 million in cap space by making Freeman a post-June 1 cut, but they would have to wait to realize that extra room. The Falcons also announced that they have released offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo. The move clears over $3.7 million in cap space while leaving $2 million in dead money. Cornerback Desmond Trufant is also on his way out, so there’s plenty of change to go around in Atlanta.