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Published: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 / Updated: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 11:15 PM

Packers part ways with DB Woodson

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- 

Charles Woodson is on the market.

The Green Bay Packers released the 36-year-old defensive back Friday with two years left on his contract.

“We are grateful for all that Charles has given to the Green Bay Packers over the past seven years,” general manager Ted Thompson said. “He has been an integral part of the Packers’ success and our Super Bowl title in 2010 would not have been possible without his contributions. A once-in-a-generation talent as a player, he is also a great leader and ambassador for the organization off the field.”

The Packers cleared about $10 million in cap space by releasing Woodson. Carl Poston, Woodson’s agent, said the veteran wasn’t done yet.

“The Packers told Charles they’re going in a different direction,” Poston said. “Charles told me he still wants to play – for a Super Bowl contender.”

Woodson signed a five-year deal before the 2010 season that was worth as much as $55 million. He missed nine games during the 2012 regular season because of a broken right collarbone and played in two postseason games for the Packers in his seventh year with the franchise.

“We had a good run,” Woodson wrote to ESPNWisconsin.com in a text message.

Goodell paid more than $29 million by NFL in 2011

Commissioner Roger Goodell was paid $29.49 million by NFL owners in 2011, nearly triple his compensation from the previous year.

According to the league’s most recent tax return, most of Goodell’s pay comes in the form of a $22.3 million bonus.

Around the league

Buffalo: Backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson re-signed with the Bills. But returning starter Ryan Fitzpatrick remains part of the team’s future for now. New coach Doug Marrone ended a month of speculation regarding his plans at quarterback by saying he intends to have Fitzpatrick and Jackson compete for the starting job.

Dallas: The man credited with designing the famed blue star logo of the Dallas Cowboys has died. The Cowboys said Jack Eskridge died Monday at a Valley Falls, Kan., hospital.

The funeral for the 89-year-old former Cowboys equipment manager is scheduled for Saturday morning at Carson-Speaks Chapel in Independence, Mo.

Denver: Peyton Manning can rest easy. His blindside protector isn’t going anywhere. Broncos boss John Elway is planning to put the franchise tag on his All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady as early as Tuesday.

A franchise tag would mean a salary of just under $10 million for Clady in 2013, about three times what he earned last season, when he surrendered just one sack in more than 1,100 snaps.

Indianapolis: The Colts will not re-sign former league sacks champion Dwight Freeney or oft-injured receiver Austin Collie. Both will become unrestricted free agents next month.

Collie wound up on season-ending injured reserve in September with a knee injury. Freeney, Indy’s career sacks leader, will turn 33 next week.

Minnesota: The Vikings have no intention of trading wide receiver Percy Harvin, general manager Rick Spielman said.

Spielman also declined to address the possibility of negotiating a new deal for Harvin, who will the final year of his contract in 2013.

St. Louis: Titus Young’s stay with the Rams was brief. The wide receiver was placed on waivers after only a few days in St. Louis.

• The Rams hired Tim Walton as defensive coordinator.