NFL: Kansas City Chiefs cut veteran receiver Jeremy Maclin

It’s a move shocking the NFL stratosphere not only for the timing but because of the player

Kansas City announced a surprising move Friday evening with the release of veteran wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.

The team clearly was waiting for the June 1 cut deadline to pass on Thursday to make the move official, thus taking a slightly softer hit on their salary cap.

The move is shocking as Kansas City continues organized team activities, and based on the strong relationship between head coach Andy Reid and the receiver.

Reid had drafted Maclin during his time in Philadelphia, and reunited themselves through free agency.

The team announced the move in a statement shared on their social media accounts:

"“These decisions are never easy, especially with a player like Jeremy who I’ve grown close with on and off the football field over the years,” said Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid. “I have a lot of respect for the way he goes about his business and how he handles himself as a professional. I wish him the best of luck moving forward.”"

By making Maclin a post-June 1 cut the Chiefs will save $10 million on their salary cap.

Maclin’s interest on the free agent market will be extremely high despite catching only two touchdowns last year for the Chiefs. His best year came under Chip Kelly in Philadelphia when he recorded 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

After the Eagles failed to re-sign their star receiver Reid brought Maclin into Kansas City on a five-year deal.

More from NFL Free Agency

• Ideal landing spots for Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott and other free agent running backs
• AFC East Buzz: Ezekiel Elliot visits Patriots; Dalvin Cook-Jets rumors heat up
• NFL Free Agency: 5 most intriguing landing spots for Dalvin Cook
• AFC South Buzz: Titans nab DeAndre Hopkins; Engram gets paid
• 5 Teams That Should Sign Free Agent WR DeAndre Hopkins

Look for the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and Buffalo Bills to inquire on Maclin. Former Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is now in Buffalo, and the team needs depth after second-round pick Zay Jones came up hurt in practice.

Philadelphia has signed Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith to complement Jordan Matthews, but Maclin would push out bench players Dorial Green-Beckham and Nelson Agholor. Rookies Shelton Gibson and Mack Hollins are widely believed to be special teams contributors early.

Next: 5 OROY Candidates in the NFC East

New England brought in Brandin Cooks, but adding a big receiver with 1,000 yard potential such as Maclin would be right up the Patriots alley.

And Los Angeles has virtually no competent receivers, adding Robert Woods as a blocker to the speedy Tavon Austin.