CHICAGO -- The Bears have released veteran safety Antrel Rolle and veteran offensive guard Matt Slauson.
"We thank Matt and Antrel for the dedication and leadership they brought to our organization," Bears general manager Ryan Pace said. "Both men did everything we asked of them. Part of growing as a team is making difficult decisions like the ones we made today. We never take them lightly, given the respect we have for everyone who has put on a Bears uniform. We wish each of them the very best as they move forward."
Rolle, 33, played in just seven games last season because of ankle and knee injuries. Chicago placed him on injured reserve in December, after the safety suffered a serious knee injury on the practice field.
Rolle, who joined Chicago last year as a free agent after five seasons with the Giants, said Monday in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio that "New York is where my heart is" and he'd be interested in a reunion with the Giants in 2016.
"I would absolutely be open to the situation if it presents itself. Obviously it would have to make sense for both [sides]. The New York Giants, I think it would definitely make sense for both myself and the team. But let's see what happens," he said.
Rolle, who lasted only one season in Chicago, signed a three-year contract last offseason, but he collected all the guaranteed money ($4.9 million) in the first year of the deal. The Bears clear $2,718,750 worth of salary-cap space with the move.
It became obvious that Rolle's roster spot was in jeopardy when Chicago selected a pair of safeties, Miami's Deon Bush (fourth round) and William & Mary's DeAndre Houston-Carson (sixth round), on Day 3 of the draft. The same was true for Slauson after Chicago took Kansas State guard Cody Whitehair in the second round. That pick, along with the signing of former Arizona Cardinals right tackle Bobby Massie and several other additions, created a logjam on the line.
Bush worked out with Rolle, another former Hurricane, in South Florida during the offseason.
"I grew up watching Antrel Rolle, and while he was down here in Miami, I was working out with him, so he's kind of like a mentor to me," Bush said Saturday. "He's been in the league for a long time, and I want to be in the league for a long time, so there's a lot to learn from him. It's just great having another player from The U, being like a family, like a brotherhood, and it'll be great playing with him."
Prior to cleaning out his locker at the end of last season, Rolle said he had no plans to retire. In a tweet posted Sunday, Rolle said he is "looking forward to what is next."
I appreciate the Chicago Bears and the organization for the opportunity. Blessed as always. Looking forward to what is next!
— Antrel Rolle (@antrelrolle26) May 1, 2016
He followed by saying he "suffered an unfortunate injury last year and it's a part of the game," but he is "back at [100 percent]."
Before joining Chicago, Rolle had been extremely durable since he entered the league as a first-round pick in 2005. He missed only one game while a member of the Cardinals and Giants from 2006-16.
Slauson, who made 12 starts at left guard and four at center last season, is out after three years in Chicago. He has appeared in 88 games with 85 starts over seven seasons with the New York Jets (2009-12) and Bears (2013-15).
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.