Chiefs Release Four

The Kansas City Chiefs have release four players, including three starters as they prepare for next season. Quarterback Damon Huard, cornerback Patrick Surtain and linebacker Donnie Edwards and tight end Mike Merritt will all be looking for work when free agency begins Friday.

Huard, Surtain and Edwards were veteran players who didn't appear to fit with the new philosophy of general manager Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley, so the moves were no surprise.

Huard, 35, had started 21 total games the last three seasons, but after 5 games he threw 2 TD and 4 Ints and was replaced by rookie Tyler Thigpen. Huard’s best season in Kansas City came in 2006, when he threw 11 touchdown passes and only one interception in 10 games, eight of them starts.

Surtain, 32, was scheduled to make $7 Million base salary in 2009 and his release instantly freed up $6.184 Million.

Edwards, 35, started just 4 games last season and was scheduled to make $5 million in base salary in 2009, and the Chiefs saved $4.5 million against the salary cap by cutting him.

Merritt was basically begging for his release, when earlier this month he was arrested for marijuana possession.