Raiders reportedly will release LB Cory Littleton

Linebacker Cory Littleton earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2018 and, per ESPN stats, led the Los Angeles Rams in tackles for the 2018 and 2019 seasons before he put pen to paper on a three-year contract worth up to $35.25 million to join the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2020. 

The new-look Raiders now have Dave Ziegler serving as general manager and Josh McDaniels as their new head coach, and it appears both are good with cutting the Littleton experiment short. 

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler (h/t Paul Gutierrez) and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero (h/t Grant Gordon), the Raiders have informed Littleton they'll be releasing him after the new league year opens next Wednesday. The move will save the club $11.75 million against the salary cap under a post-June 1 designation after that date but will create $4 million in dead money for 2022 and $10 million in 2023. 

Across 31 total regular-season contests with the Raiders, Littleton tallied 107 solo tackles, a fumble recovery and a paltry 0.5 sacks. He played in just 57% of the club's snaps on defense during the 2021 campaign and ultimately lost his starting job to then-rookie and third-round pick Divine Deablo.