This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Getting replaced and released is an ugly reality of professional sports, especially at this time of year in the NFL as teams pare down their rosters before the regular season.

Some players don't see eye-to-eye with upper management when the news of cuts is handed down, especially former Utah star Paul Kruger.

Kruger, who was released by the Cleveland Browns after three seasons Monday, tweeted that his release was "completely miss handled, unfortunate and absolutely the wrong decision."

The 30-year-old Kruger signed a 4-year, $40.5 million contract in a splashy 2013 free agency move from the Browns after spending his first few seasons with the division rival Baltimore Ravens.

Kruger was due to make $7 million in base salary with the Browns this year after a 2015 season in which he produced 2.5 sacks and 16 tackles, according to spotrac.com

Former Utes defensive end Nate Orchard, who was picked by the Browns in the 2015 draft, will be one of the players expected to pick up the slack of Kruger's pass rush. So the NFL world turns.

bsmith@sltrib.com

Twitter: @BrennanJSmith