CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have said farewell to linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, their undisputed team leader and the longest-tenured member of the team.

Jackson, an eight-year veteran of the Browns, was released by the club before they had to pay him a $4.1 million roster bonus on March 15.

Jackson, the Browns second-round pick in 2006 out of Maryland, is now free to sign with any NFL team.

He issued this statement Wednesday afternoon following the news of his release:

Browns general manager Ray Farmer also issued a statement through the team:

At the NFL Scouting Combine last week in Indianapolis, Browns coach Mike Pettine declined to comment on whether or not the Browns would pay the bonus, but raved about Jackson's leadership ability.

"He came into town. It was within the first week I was hired…he bounced right up to the office and you could tell he's special,'' said Pettine. "He and I sat down and had a great meeting. It's easy to see why he's so highly thought of, the leadership ability and the intangibles to me are off the chart.''

Jackson signed a five-year extension last year through 2016 worth $42.5 million -- including $19 million in guarantees and bonuses. In addition to the $4.1 million roster bonus, Jackson was set to make $3.93 million this season. His salaries for 2015 and 2016 were $7.73 million and $7 million, respectively.

During the last week of the season, Jackson said he would be "absolutely'' shocked if he wasn't back in 2014.

"I don’t even like talking about it,'' Jackson said Dec. 27. "I know it’s a business and things change all the time, but as far as I’m concerned, I haven't thought about that one time. I feel good in my position where I am. From what I know, I'm part of the plans, I'll be here next year.''

Jackson was arguably the most beloved member of the Browns by players and coaches alike.

“D’Qwell has been a coach’s dream as far as leadership, intelligence,'' then-defensive coordinator Ray Horton said last season. "He demands a lot from himself and his teammates. He really is a locker room coach (with) some of the things he says after the game and at halftime.”

Jackson and his agent Brian Mackler weren't anticipating the Browns to ask him to restructure his deal (his salary-cap number is $8.1 million next season) based on the fine season he had, "but if that was the case, I trust my team would get something done,'' Jackson said in December.

The Browns and Jackson are believed to have discussed a restructure, but Jackson and his agent ultimately decided it was best for him to move on.

Despite the Browns' 41-87 record in Jackson's eight seasons, he was still determined to return after last season -- at least before coach Rob Chudzinski was fired following a 4-12 mark.

"We've got a good, solid foundation here, I love what we’re doing,'' he said in December. "I’ve said it all year long, the things that we’re doing are first-rate, so that’s been an improvement from years past. So I’ll be the first in line to say I want to be here for the future. No one from the front office has let me know or my agent know that I wasn’t a part of their plans. so that’s the best way I can say it.''

Jackson said it would be hard to imagine playing anywhere else.

"Now I’m stuck to Cleveland,'' he said. "It's going to be hard to go somewhere else and play. I know it’s the nature of the business, things may change and I’m fully aware of that. Right now, I’m a Cleveland Brown through and through.''