PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) warms up before the NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles on September 06, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA.

Matt Bryant released by Falcons, plans to return for 18th NFL season

Icon Sportswire / Getty

Veteran kicker Matt Bryant says the Atlanta Falcons are releasing him.

The 43-year-old Bryant added that he still intends to return for his 18th NFL season in 2019. He converted 20 of 21 field-goal attempts and 94.3 percent of his extra-point tries in 13 games during 2018, while his longest make came from 57 yards.

He was set to have a cap hit of $4.1 million in 2019, and the Falcons will now be left with a dead cap penalty of $1.3 million.

Giorgio Tavecchio filled in for Bryant over a three-game stretch last season and hit all five field-goal attempts along with eight PATs. He's due a base salary of $645,000 next season.

The Falcons' latest move to clear cap space follows the release of cornerback Robert Alford on Tuesday, which saved the team nearly $8 million.

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