1:56pm: The Chiefs have formally announced the release of Fasano, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link).
12:49pm: Veteran tight end Anthony Fasano will be in the market for a new NFL home later today, according to Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network. Darlington reports (via Twitter) that the Chiefs are parting ways with Fasano, releasing him two years before his contract was set to expire.
Fasano, 30, was significantly out-targeted by the 25-year-old Travis Kelce (87 to 36) in 2014, and caught just 25 balls to Kelce’s 67. Despite not being as involved in Kansas City’s passing game, Fasano logged about the same number of offensive snaps as the sophomore tight end, frequently serving as a blocker on both run and pass plays. Still, his grades as a blocker weren’t great, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and he had been set to count for $4.2MM+ on the Chiefs’ cap in 2015.
By releasing Fasano, Kansas City will create nearly $2MM in cap savings, slicing the veteran’s 2015 cap number to just $2.25MM in dead money. Designating Fasano as a post-June 1 cut would open up $1MM+ more in cap room, but that probably won’t be necessary. The move creates a little more flexibility for the Chiefs as they explore the possibility of bringing back Justin Houston and other free-agents-to-be.
As for Fasano, once the move becomes official, he’ll immediately be free to sign with a new club without having to pass through waivers.