The Arizona Cardinals wiggled below the salary cap of $123 million by releasing a pair of veteran defenders this morning.

The Cardinals announced they have cut linebacker Stewart Bradley and cornerback William Gay, shedding some $5.5 million off their salary cap for 2013, according to the team’s Web site.

Bradley was a flop in Arizona. He signed a $25 million, five-year contract in 2011 at the conclusion of the lockout. He struggled to get on the field and was playing almost exclusively on special teams last season. Bradley had taken a pay cut from $5 million to $2.5 million this past season and he was due to earn $5 million again this season.

Gay was scheduled to earn $1.75 million in 2013. He started 15 games last season after signing a two-year contract.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune