Tommy Kelly asked for his release from the Patriots

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When the Patriots cut defensive lineman Tommy Kelly last month, it came as both a shock and a surprise. Kelly, who was coming off of a torn ACL last year, restructured his contract in the offseason. The move made it likely that if he had recovered from the ACL injury that he would make the team.

His release seemed to mean he hadn't recovered from the injury, but he then signed with the Arizona Cardinals with in days of his release. Leaving many to ask why the Patriots cut the defensive lineman if he was healthy enough to play.

As it turns out, Tommy Kelly actually asked for his release from the team.

“I saw what was going on,” Kelly said. “I mean, you’re starting me, but you’re taking me out. I don’t know why you're taking me out. I had a situation with my deal and I saw what he was doing, so I got on my agent and we got together and I was just happy.

Judging from his quote, he wasn't happy with being in a rotation with the other defensive lineman. This rotation was happening in preseason and as he was coming back from a major injury. The rotation makes sense. You have to see what everyone can do in preseason so you can decide who will make the team and how to use them. Also coming off of an injury you don't want to over do it and cause re-injury.

He mentions a "situation in his deal" which must mean his contract had a clause that included playing time. Such as if he hit "X" amount of snaps then he would get a bonus. Maybe he felt that the rotation was meant to deny him that money.

Personally it seems like a selfish move on his part. He watched as the Patriots took Dominique Easley in the first round of the draft and then asked him to take a pay cut. To him he could see the rookie eventually taking a lot of his playing time. Instead of taking on the role of a mentor to help they young guy out, he decided he wanted to get out.

The "me first" attitude won't work in that locker room. It appears both sides realized that and decided this was the best move for everyone. The Patriots might miss Tommy Kelly's presence on the field but they won't miss his selfish attitude off of it.

H/T ESPN NFL

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