Jets Grant Nagle His Wish and Release Him

Browning Nagle, considered the New York Jets’ quarterback of the future just a year ago, was released by the team Friday, a day after the team signed Jack Trudeau.

Nagle, who a week ago signed a contract that would have paid him $875,000 next season, was deemed expendable by the Jets after they signed Trudeau, released last month by Indianapolis. Trudeau signed for $1,725,000 over two years, adding an additional burden to the salary cap of $34.6 million per team.

Leigh Steinberg, the agent for both Trudeau and Nagle--as well as Glenn Foley, a Jets’ draft choice--had asked that Nagle be released to pursue opportunities with other teams.

The Jets granted that wish Friday.

“We think Browning has a future in the NFL,” said general manager Dick Steinberg, no relation to Leigh. “We would liked to have kept him and Jack Trudeau, but in today’s environment, it’s impossible to do.”

Nagle, a second-round draft choice in 1991 from Louisville, played in only one game as a rookie but won the starting job from Ken O’Brien in 1992. He completed 192 of 387 passes for 2,280 yards.