Mathias Kiwanuka was released by the New York Giants, who saved nearly $5 million against the 2015 salary cap in parting with the nine-year veteran.

Kiwanuka was a first-round pick in 2006 out of Boston College and won two Super Bowl rings with the Giants. He had 38.5 sacks shuttling between defensive end and linebacker as a valued, versatile front seven cog.

“The thing that has always impressed me about Kiwi is how serious he is about the game,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Tuesday. “He was always prepared and always in outstanding condition and played very hard. And he had some nasty in him. I always felt like you could count on certain things from him: eight [or] nine sacks, harass the quarterback, and you could move him around, inside, outside. He is dependable, reliable and there is no question about his professionalism. His character and professionalism and serious approach to the game will be missed.”

Because he’s a vested veteran, Kiwanuka is free to sign with any team before the start of veteran free agency March 10.

In 2010 a bulging cervical disk ended Kiwanuka’s season in October. After multiple consultations with physicians, he opted to return to the team in free agency in 2011. He signed a two-year, $8.6 million contract and in 2012 signed a three-year contract extension.

In the past two years, the Giants have split from several players who were once prominent parts of a dominant pass rush, including Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Kiwanuka.

Releasing Kiwanuka frees of space to address other needs, including retaining the team’s top pass rusher, Jason Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul, another former first-round pick, could become a free agent but the Giants are widely expected to use the franchise tag to retain him if the two sides are unable to reach a contract extension.