Reports: Raiders release CB Sean Smith

In the minutes leading up to the start of the free agent negotiation period, in a move that has been expected for some time, the Raiders are now set to release cornerback Sean Smith as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The move has since been confirmed by several others.

Sean Smith carried a cap hit of $8.5 million with no dead money left behind, so his release is all savings. If you assume Justin Ellis’s cap hit is $5 million this season (his average on his new 3-year deal), the Raiders would have about $24 million in cap room.

The 9-year NFL veteran spent the past two seasons in Oakland, appearing in 29 games and starting 23. He has a serious legal case upcoming for assault that could lead to jail time as well as an NFL suspension. At 30 years of age, it’s possible his NFL career is done.