Stanford Routt Waived by Chiefs After Receiving Three-Year, $18 Million Offseason Contract

by Doug Kyed on Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 5:19PM

The Chiefs made a surprise cut mid-way through their turmoil-filled season.

Offseason free agent Stanford Routt was waived by the Chiefs to make room for defensive tackle Shaun Smith. Routt signed a three-year, $18 million contract back in February. The deal contained $6 million guaranteed.

Routt has been underachieving in his new role with the Chiefs, and it appears the team may be entering a rebuilding mode after starting the season 1-7. Routt can be claimed on waivers by any team in the NFL, but they would then take on his 2012 salary and remaining contract. If Routt clears waivers, he becomes a free agent and the Chiefs are bound to his remaining salary this season. A team can then sign him to a new contract.

Even after adding Aqib Talib at the trade deadline, Routt may still be a worthy pickup for the Patriots. He may not be a starter, but his familiarity with Romeo Crennel‘s defense would help him as a role player in New England. The Patriots have experienced struggles in their secondary dating back to last season, and adding trusted veterans could help shore that up.

Photo via Facebook/VoteStanfordRoutt