BEREA – LeCharles Bentley asked for and was given his release by the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, general manager Phil Savage announced.

“We felt like we wanted to oblige that request,” Savage said. “We wish him the best of luck in his pursuits, whatever they are.”

Bentley, a two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman, signed with his hometown team in March 2006, but never played a down after tearing a patellar tendon in training camp and suffering a staph infection. After four surgeries and nearly two years, he passed the team’s physical Monday and participated on a limited basis Tuesday during the first practice of minicamp.

He told reporters Tuesday that he had no doubt he’d be playing somewhere in the NFL on opening day. Savage said Bentley indicated to him Wednesday that he intends to continue playing.

Bentley missed a meeting and practice Wednesday morning, then was seen leaving team headquarters. He rolled a small piece of luggage behind him, put it in the trunk of a white luxury car and was driven away by his mother.

The relationship between Bentley and the team had become strained during his attempt to come back. He spent the majority of his rehabilitation away from the team, was upset when the team didn’t pass him on his physical in October and had his six-year, $36 million contract shortened to end following the 2008 season.

“This is a chapter that finally comes to an end,” Savage said. “We’ve got some closure to it now and can go our separate ways in a positive manner.”

Bentley, a native of Cleveland who attended St. Ignatius High School and Ohio State, spoke to reporters Tuesday after practice and said he was no longer dreaming about playing his first game in a Browns uniform.

“No. I’ve let that go,” he said. “Being a Brown is always going to be special to me. I don’t want people to misconstrue what I’m saying. I grew up here, I’ve been a die-hard fan my entire life. That will never change.

“But if there’s one thing I’ve realized throughout these last two years of this experience, I realize there’s a business aspect of this. Sometimes business people have to make business decisions.”

A message left for Bentley’s agent was not immediately returned.

 

 

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