They never released him. They made him a bogus offer that was insulting to him after what he had done for SF. They were offering him such a small amount to stay it was hard for him to even consider the possibility of staying. I mean shit, he went to the Pro Bowl 3 times, took the franchise from the dumps and helped lead them back into the playoffs.. Then they make a whack offer? That's why he walked, and all he would say is that he was "looking after himself this time." Nobody knew exactly what he meant by that, but I know because I know his family.