The Redskins have released Robert Griffin III, four years after trading a bevy of draft picks to take the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback with the No. 2 overall choice.

The NFC East champions announced the move Monday. They had made clear it was coming.

The Redskins had until Wednesday to part ways with Griffin and prevent his 2016 contract worth about $16 million from becoming guaranteed.

Griffin becomes a free agent and can sign anywhere. NFL free agency begins Wednesday.

The release closes the book on Griffin’s tumultuous tenure in Washington, which included 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors but also injuries and clashes with coaches Mike Shanahan and Jay Gruden.

Working to free up space under the salary cap, the Redskins also released safeties Dashon Goldson and Jeron Johnson, as well as defensive end Jason Hatcher on Monday.

Taking that trio and Griffin off the books removes nearly $30 million from Washington’s spending toward the cap and brings the team below the ceiling.

In addition, fullback Darrel Young and nose tackle ­Terrance ‘‘Pot Roast’’ ­Knighton indicated on Twitter that they would not be brought back by Washington.

The day’s most noteworthy — if not unexpected — move by Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan involved Griffin, who wrote on Instagram: ‘‘After 4 years, my days as a part of this team have come to an end.’’

He also tweeted: ‘‘It was a blessing guys. I just want to say thank you.’’

Griffin’s departure is the culmination of a sudden rise and stunning fall for the QB, who didn’t play last season for the NFC East champions as Kirk Cousins took over as the starter.

Griffin arrived via a draft pick that came from the Rams at the high price of three first-round selections plus a second-rounder — and he immediately became a star and national sensation.

Working with a zone-read offense tailored to his sprinter’s speed and other skills, Griffin led the Redskins to a division title. But in a playoff game against Seattle, Griffin at first was hobbled by a clearly hurt right knee, then wound up facedown on the turf with torn ligaments.

Eagles flip Murray

The Titans have agreed to acquire DeMarco Murray in a trade with Philadelphia in looking for the running back threat they've lacked since releasing Chris Johnson, according to a person familiar with the deal.

Murray also agreed to rework the five-year, $40 million contract with $21 million guaranteed he signed with Philadelphia last year, the person told the Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal will not be announced until Wednesday.

Other terms of the deal were not immediately available.

The Titans hold the No. 1 pick in the April draft and have eight draft picks — three in the top 64 selections.

This will be the first big move by new Titans general manager Jon Robinson, who was hired in January to turn around a franchise that has gone 5-27 since releasing Johnson in April 2014 to avoid the final three seasons of a $53.5 million deal. Johnson was the last running back to run for 100 yards in a game for Tennessee, a drought that stretches to December 2013.

Quarterback Marcus Mariota ran for 112 yards on Dec. 6 in a win over Jacksonville, but that number was boosted by an 87-yard touchdown run. The Titans ranked 25th in the NFL last season, averaging 92.8 yards rushing per game, and new coach Mike Mularkey has talked about running the ball much more next season.

Murray led the NFL in rushing for 1,845 yards with 13 touchdowns in Dallas in 2014 and was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

He only ran for 702 yards with the Eagles last season, but he did run for 112 yards Oct. 19 against the Giants. The six-year veteran has run for 5,228 yards and 34 touchdowns in his career, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He also has 215 receptions for 1,522 yards.

Dolphins add pair

Cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso will try to accomplish for the Dolphins what they failed to do in Philadelphia: upgrade the defense.

The Eagles traded the two players to the Dolphins for a draft choice, a person familiar with the deal said. The person confirmed the trade to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it won’t be announced until Wednesday, the first day of free agency.

The deal is pending physicals, and Alonso has knee issues.

Maxwell and Alonso both had a disappointing year in Philadelphia after they were acquired before the 2015 season by coach Chip Kelly, who was fired before the season finale. Philadelphia finished 7-9.

Alonso had also played for Kelly at Oregon.

The Dolphins’ acquisition of Maxwell may mean they plan to part with four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes. He became expendable because of a decline in his play last season and issues involving his wife, Miko, who was arrested at the stadium before a game and ripped Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill on Twitter.

Maxwell is going into the second year of a $63 million, six-year contract he received after starting only 17 games in four seasons with Seattle. He had two interceptions in 14 games for the Eagles, who ranked 28th in pass defense.

Maxwell has a cap hit of $9.7 million for 2016, which the Dolphins are expected to try to restructure. Miami would save $6.5 million in cap space by parting with Grimes.

Alonso, a second-round draft pick by Buffalo in 2013, has battled injuries and started only one game last season. He was acquired by Philadelphia in a trade for two-time All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy.

Bills court Evans

The Bills are turning their attention to veteran offensive guard Jahri Evans in the event they lose starter Richie ­Incognito in free agency.

The Bills announced they were meeting with Evans, not long after the unsigned free agent posted a picture of Buffalo’s downtown harbor on his Twitter account.

Evans was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round in 2006 and spent 10 seasons in New Orleans before being cut last month. He has 153 career starts.

Evans would be a candidate to replace Incognito, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent once the NFL’s signing period opens Wednesday.

The Bills called re-signing Incognito an offseason priority. The team, however, has little room to maneuver under the salary cap.

Buffalo also tendered contract offers to retain the rights to three of seven restricted free agents: receiver Chris Hogan, defensive tackle Corbin Bryant and offensive lineman Jordan Mills.

Steelers sign pair

The Steelers signed safety Robert Golden and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to three-year deals before the two hit the open market as free agents.

Golden set career highs in tackles (36) and passes defended (four) while adding his first NFL interception in 2015.

Golden, 25, made the Steelers in 2012 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Arizona and quickly made a name for himself on special teams. He appeared in 63 games, with three spot starts in the secondary, and served as the special teams captain each of the last two seasons.

Golden is the first of what could be several re-signings by the Steelers heading into free agency later this week. Veterans Will Gay and Will Allen are among those Pittsburgh is interested in bringing back for 2016.

Colts drop Freeman

Now the Colts are in the market for a backup quarterback.

On Monday, one week after 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck said goodbye to fans in a Twitter post, the Colts released his presumed successor, Josh Freeman. The move leaves only two quarterbacks, starter Andrew Luck and untested Stephen Morris, on Indianapolis’s roster.

Freeman and Ryan Lindley were both signed as free agents Dec. 29 when Luck, Hasselbeck, and Charlie Whitehurst were all battling injuries. Freeman had not played in the NFL in two years, but he and Lindley teamed up to beat Tennessee in the finale — a win that prevented Chuck Pagano from enduring his first losing season as head coach and may have saved his job.

Pagano was rewarded the next day with a four-year contract extension.

Later, the Colts re-signed tight end Dwayne Allen to a contract extension.

Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

Allen, who was taken by the Colts in the third round of the 2012 draft, has 91 receptions for 1,045 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career.

Bengals ink Johnson

The Bengals signed third-year center T.J. Johnson, keeping their only restricted free agent under contract.

Johnson was a seventh-round pick from South Carolina in 2013. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad, played in four games in 2014, and got into 12 games last season along with the first-round playoff loss to Pittsburgh.

He’s the second potential free agent signed by the Bengals. Receiver Brandon Tate signed a deal Friday rather than become an unrestricted free agent. The Bengals have 13 other players eligible to become unrestricted free agents this week, including starting cornerbacks Adam ‘‘Pacman’’ Jones and Leon Hall and safeties George Iloka and Reggie Nelson.

Davis signs tender

Jaguars defensive end Ryan Davis has signed his one-year tender offer.

Davis has played in 38 games since being promoted to the active roster in 2013. Originally signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2012, he had a career-high 6½ sacks in 2014.

General manager Dave Caldwell said, ‘‘Ryan brings a unique skill set to the team and has shown good production in his role, as evidenced by his double-digit sacks over the past two seasons. We’re excited about seeing that role expand in the future.’’