The New Orleans Saints have released tight end Jeremy Shockey, cutting loose the veteran after three seasons with them.

Shockey caught his 500th career pass this past season and scored a go-ahead touchdown in Super Bowl XLIV. He appeared in 13 games this past season and had 41 catches for 408 yards and three scores. He was due to earn $4.2 million in 2011.

“I’d like to thank Jeremy for the contributions he made to our team during his time in New Orleans,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement released by the team. “These decisions are never easy to make and we wish him the best in the future.”

“Jeremy played an important role in helping our team bring a Super Bowl championship to New Orleans,” coach Sean Payton said in the release. “He contributed to the success of our offense, both as a pass-catcher and run blocker, and we’re appreciative of his efforts.”

Shockey will turn 31 this summer and has a history of durability issues. The Saints got more production out of rookie Jimmy Graham than they realistically could have expected this past season and that made today’s decision not very surprising.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune