Buccaneers release former Pro Bowler Verner

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released veteran cornerback Alterraun Verner, the team announced Thursday.

After earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2013 with the Tennessee Titans, Verner was signed to a four-year, $25.75-million contract in 2014 by Tampa Bay, but has been released in the final year of the deal.

Verner was a celebrated acquisition at the time of the transaction, but he disappointed in his first year - also the first season for then-head coach Lovie Smith - and was reduced to a backup role in the subsequent two seasons.

The Buccaneers signed Brent Grimes ahead of the 2016 season and played him and rookie Vernon Hargreaves as the starting corners from start to finish, signaling the end for Verner.

Verner stood to make $6.5 million in 2017 and that figure will now not count against the Buccaneers' salary cap.

The 28-year-old joins a large pool of free-agent cornerbacks.