Kansas City Chiefs have released Dustin Colquitt after 15 years

The Kansas City Chiefs have released their veteran punter, Dustin Colquitt, after 15 years with the Super Bowl champions. 

Colquitt was the longest-serving member of the Chiefs and was released on Tuesday evening. The Chiefs have brought in Tyler Newsome and undrafted rookie Tommy Townsend. The Chiefs saved $2 million in cap space for letting Colquitt go. 

• Colquitt's journey in the NFL from college football

Colquitt joined the Chiefs in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft from Tennessee. The punter made the Pro Bowl twice, in 2012 and 2016. Colquitt was also the only Chief player last season who played for the team before head coach, Andy Reid, was hired as coach in 2013.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have enjoyed my time in Chiefs Kingdom, all things come to an end, sometimes sooner than you hoped, prayed & pleaded for them to. I’ll miss walking into the building & smelling the coffee, talking to everyone...it took me forever to weave through some of the most loving people you’d ever hope to work with. I was a young kid when I first walked into Arrowhead...hell, the indoor facility used to be 70 yards. Holding this post for 15 years has been an honor that I never took for granted. Thank you KC

A post shared by Dustin Colquitt (@dqp47) on Apr 27, 2020 at 9:44pm PDT

• Why is he being released?

Despite the punter and the team seemingly ending on a good relationship, Colquitt admitted that the decision was not made on his terms...

Not my terms...this is tough

— Dustin Colquitt (@dustincolquitt2) April 28, 2020

Contract renewals are coming up for Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones, the Chiefs' decision to let Colquitt go is to free up as much cap space as possible. 

Reid had nothing but praise for the veteran punter when he was asked to comment virtually. 

Reid told the Chiefs' website: "Dustin is one of the greatest Chiefs of all-time and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to coach him these past seven years.

"The longevity of his career here in Kansas City shows you just how consistently he has performed at a high level. Beyond his impact on the field, he was a great teammate and leader. I will always be a huge Dustin Colquitt fan."

Colquitt's final game for the Chiefs was their Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Reading his personal statement, it looks as though Colquitt is not ready to throw in the towel just yet.