Atlanta Falcons release team’s all-time leading receiver

In this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015 file photo, Atlanta Falcons' Roddy White (84) makes a catch as Carolina Panthers' Cortland Finnegan (26) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Atlanta Falcons have released Roddy White, who holds the franchise career records for most catches, receiving yards and touchdown catches, Wednesday, March 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File) In this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015 file photo, Atlanta Falcons' Roddy White (84) makes a catch as Carolina Panthers' Cortland Finnegan (26) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Atlanta Falcons have released Roddy White, who holds the franchise career records for most catches, receiving yards and touchdown catches, Wednesday, March 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)

By Associated Press March 2, 2016 4 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – When it came time to make the tough call on releasing Roddy White, the Atlanta Falcons didn’t ask the popular wide receiver about reworking his contract.

This decision was at least as much about performance as about money.

The Falcons released White, the leading receiver in franchise history, on Wednesday following his least productive season in a decade.

White’s role in the offense declined in 2015 under first-year coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

The Falcons announced the release of White, 34, in a statement which included glowing compliments from team owner Arthur Blank, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and Quinn.