The New England Patriots are parting ways with two veteran pass catchers, Scott Chandler and Brandon LaFell.

New England announced Wednesday it has released tight end Chandler and wide receiver Brandon LaFell.

Wide receiver Brandon LaFell, an effective threat for New England in 2014 who was hampered by a foot injury last season, was cut Wednesday with tight end Scott Chandler. The cuts save the Patriots more than $5 million in cap space.

Chandler signed with the Patriots last March. The 30-year-old made 23 receptions for 259 yards and seven touchdowns while appearing in 15 games with four starts during the regular season.

The 29-year-old LaFell signed with the Patriots as a free agent from Carolina in 2014. He had a career-high seven touchdowns that first season. In the playoffs he added 13 receptions for 119 yards with two touchdowns, including an 11-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl.

But after a foot injury limited him in 2015, his role diminished. He had no receiving touchdowns during the regular season and three receptions in two playoff games.

According to reports, the release of LaFell saves the Patriots $2.675 million under the cap, while releasing Chandler saves the Patriots about $2 million in cap space.

FALCONS: Atlanta released Roddy White, who holds the franchise career records for catches, receiving yards and touchdown catches.

White’s role in the offense declined in 2015 under first-year coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. The Falcons announced the release of the 34-year-old White in a statement that included glowing compliments from team owner Arthur Blank, General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and Quinn.

Blank said White is “one of the greatest players to ever put on a Falcons uniform” and will “forever be part of the Falcons family.”

White was only fourth on the team with 43 catches last season, his lowest total since 2006, his second season.

RAVENS: Joe Flacco pocketed several million dollars and Baltimore saved valuable salary-cap space after the quarterback signed a three-year extension.

Flacco received an NFL-record $40 million signing bonus to extend the six-year, $120.6 million contract he received in 2013 after earning Super Bowl MVP honors. The pact includes $44 million in guaranteed money – the signing bonus plus a $4 million base salary in 2016.

If a new deal hadn’t been made, Flacco’s salary-cap hit to the club this season would have been $28.55 million. But General Manager Ozzie Newsome insisted the team’s motivation was to keep the 31-year-old quarterback through the 2021 season.

“We did not do a deal to gain cap room. We did a deal so Joe Flacco could be on this football team for the next six years,” Newsome said.

Newsome did, however, add: “The cap will take care of itself. But is it going to be helpful? Yes.”

PACKERS: Mason Crosby will keep kicking on the Green Bay tundra.

The Packers announced the re-signing of the reliable kicker and franchise career scoring leader. A person familiar with the four-year contract said it was worth $16.1 million, with a $5 million signing bonus.

The 2007 sixth-round draft pick ranks first in franchise history with 1,145 points and 236 field goals. His 20 straight postseason field goals dating back to 2010 are an NFL playoff record.

BROWNS: Pro Bowl center Alex Mack is voiding the final three years of his contract and will become a free agent, according to a person familiar with the decision.

Mack was set to make $24 million over the next three years but chose to opt out.

Mack may still re-sign with the Browns, who value him as one of their best players and a building block for the future.

TITANS: Tennessee agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with free-agent cornerback Brice McCain.

McCain made 11 starts and played 14 games for Miami last season. He had 39 tackles and one interception.

49ERS: The team re-signed running back Shaun Draughn to a one-year contract.

Draughn originally signed with San Francisco in November and started six games last season. He rushed 76 times for 263 yards and a touchdown in six games.

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