The Washington Redskins continued to reshape their defensive line and freed up more salary-cap room by releasing veteran end Ricky Jean Francois on Wednesday.
Jean Francois' release was expected, because he would have counted $4 million against the salary cap in 2017 and was going to be a backup at best. The Redskins will save $3 million in cap space with the release.
Jean Francois spent two years with Washington, starting six games in 2016 and recording 1.5 sacks. But the Redskins weren't pleased with their defensive line, allowing another starter, Chris Baker, to sign with Tampa Bay via free agency.
Last week, after general manager Scot McCloughan was fired, Jean Francois told the "Sean Salisbury Show" on SB Nation Radio, "It seems like we're getting back to the norm. We're getting back to the drama, the dysfunction. It feels like we've never had that period where we were comfortable with everything and everything was running smoothly."
A source had mentioned the possibility of Jean Francois' release before that comment was made.
Jean Francois, who turned 30 in November, was the only player left from McCloughan's first free-agent class in the 2015 offseason. Jean Francois spent two years with Indianapolis and four with San Francisco.
The Redskins also re-signed defensive end Ziggy Hood to a two-year contract, a source said. They have also signed Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain in free agency.