Oakland Raiders cut OT Austin Howard, save $5 million

July 28 (UPI) -- Offensive tackle Austin Howard said his goodbyes Friday after being cut by the Oakland Raiders.

The 30-year-old played three seasons for the Raiders. Howard first signed in 2010 with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent out of Northern Iowa. Howard also spent two seasons with the New York Jets, before joining the Raiders in 2014. He started 10 games last season for the Raiders due to shoulder and ankle issues. He is recovering from offseason labrum and rotator cuff surgery, which was performed in January.

"Oakland!!! A lifetime of memories have been made these past three years, and I am grateful for every single one of them," {link:Howard wrote on Instagram Friday. : "https://www.instagram.com/p/BXFQg5lgY2Q/?taken-by=realaustinhoward77" target="_blank" title="Howard via Instagram"} "Unfortunately my time with the #Raiders has come to an end. To my OL dawgs, love y'all boys. #RaiderNation appreciate all your support, you guys are like none other. I came to Oakland my first year with a start of 0-10...through hard work and dedication we built a team that had more success it had in years, and thus we turned this group of players into a play-off bound and elite team. Starting on this offensive line for the majority of that time is something that I'll never forget. One thing I can say is that no matter the situation, no matter if it was battling through injury, or political scrutiny that this business demands, I left it all out the for my teammates and always had and will always have their back.

"I will always be proud of that. Thank you to Mr. Davis and the Raiders organization/coaches that allowed me this opportunity. Thank you to my family, especially my parents, siblings, my friends, my agent Kevin Robinson, and last but definitely not least my beautiful wife Larissa who has been with me since the beginning, and through the thick and thin and has selflessly been the real reason that I've been able to do my job on the field for the passed seven seasons, for all your love, support, encouragement and prayers! To my baby girl, Daddy loves you and couldn't imagine this life without you! Having an opportunity and blessing to share all of this with you has been the biggest gift of all...As upsetting as it is, that "business" gets in the way of a good thing, I know that this is not the end of my NFL journey. Looking forward to what God has planned for me next."

Howard signed a five-year, $30 million contract in 2014 with the Raiders. He was set to make $4.9 million this season.