National Football League

Packers release C Jeff Saturday

Published Feb. 18, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Green Bay Packers have released veteran center Jeff Saturday.

General manager Ted Thompson announced the move Monday. Saturday signed a two-year deal with the Packers as an unrestricted free agent in March 2012 after playing 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. He had been the Colts' full-time starting center since 2000. He became a fan favorite, a key figure in the NFL Players Association and one of Peyton Manning's closest friends.

Saturday, a six-time Pro Bowl selection in 14 seasons, was benched as a starter with two games left in the regular season in favor of Evan Dietrich-Smith. He's expected to retire as a Colt, according to Scout.com