Browns cut linebacker Paul Kruger after three seasons

Paul Kruger called the Browns out for mishandling his release.

The Cleveland Browns released linebacker Paul Kruger on Monday as the team inches closer to the mandatory roster limit of 75 players by Tuesday.

Kruger, 30, spent the last three seasons with the Browns after signing a five-year, $40.5 million deal in 2013.

He spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, where he was a starter on the Super Bowl XLVII winning team.

Kruger expressed his thoughts on being released.

"I would like to thank Dee and Jimmy Haslem and the Cleveland Browns organization for 3 great years of football and opportunity," Kruger said on Twitter. "I would also like to thank the city of Cleveland and the relentless fans therein. My experience has been amazing and I will miss wearing a Browns #99. Although completely miss handled (sic), unfortunate and absolutely the wrong decision to release me I do wish the Browns, and especially my teammate brothers great success."

Kruger was set to make $6.5 million this year and $7 million in the 2017 season.

His most productive season with the Browns was 2014, when he recorded a career-high 11 sacks. Last season, Kruger had 27 total tackles, with 2.5 sacks.

- Scooby Axson