The New Orleans Saints, still trying to get under the salary cap, released linebacker Curtis Lofton on Monday.

The Saints have been working hard to get under the $143.3 million cap by the time the league year begins Tuesday. They had been shopping their leading tackler for a possible trade.

Lofton was scheduled to make $7.25 million in 2015, including a $4.5 million roster bonus. The team saved $4.25 million by releasing him.

Lofton, 28, led the Saints with 100 tackles in 2014, his third year with the team. He played his first four seasons with Atlanta after the Falcons drafted him in the second round in 2008.

The Saints have the worst cap situation in the league — about $14 million over before releasing Lofton.

Last week, they released veteran running back Pierre Thomas and restructured the contract of veteran wide receiver Marques Colston while also getting defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to take a pay cut.