by Curtis Crabtree
KJR reporter
Twitter: @Curtis_Crabtree

RENTON - The Seattle Seahawks plan to release WR Ben Obomanu.

The seven-year Seahawks veteran tweeted a goodbye to Seattle fans from his verified Twitter account early Friday afternoon.

"#Seattle it's been grt! 7th rd pick & 7 good years for #87! Now for an opportunity to play and continue to live my dream. Thanks #12thMan"

Obomanu then confirmed the team's plan to release him via text message.

"We agreed to allow me to join the free agent pool now instead of possibly waiting around through training camp," Obomanu said.

Obomanu ends his Seattle career with 87 receptions for 1,209 yards and seven touchdowns. He was scheduled to make $2,466,667 next season. Releasing Obomanu will save the team $2.3 million with just the remaining $166,667 of his signing bonus couting against the salary cap.

With the acqusition of WR Percy Harvin, Obomanu was at least fifth on the Seahawks depth chart behind Harvin, WR Sidney Rice, WR Golden Tate and WR Doug Baldwin. Seattle wasn't going to pay that type of money to a fifth receiver and special teams player.