Former All-Pro linebacker Jason Gildon and Redskins linebacker Jeremiah Trotter are back on the free-agent market, as expected.

Gildon and Trotter were the latest salary-cap cuts Wednesday, joining quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Vinny Testaverde along with several others.

Gildon was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a long-expected move that creates $3.65 million of salary-cap room for the team.

Gildon, who will be 32 next month, learned weeks ago he would be traded or released.

By releasing Gildon, the Steelers freed themselves of his $3.65 million salary but still must count $1.3 million of his deferred signing bonus against their 2004 cap and $2.6 million next year. They would have been required to count the entire $3.9 million this year if they had cut Gildon before now.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Gildon, coming off two consecutive down seasons after making All-Pro in 2001, is expected to sign shortly with another team. The Texans, Redskins, Packers, Ravens and Browns are believed to be interested in Gildon.

Trotter was told months ago not to attend the spring minicamps and was given permission to seek a trade. He was let go along with running back Trung Canidate and guard Dave Fiore.

Trotter never lived up to the seven-year, $35 million contract he received as a free agent from Philadelphia two years ago.

Canidate, acquired last year in a trade with St. Louis, was billed as the big-play back that would fit well into former coach Steve Spurrier's offense. But Canidate rushed for just 600 yards, scored only two touchdowns and missed five games due to injuries.

Fiore's signing was a risk from the start. He already had a history of knee problems when the Redskins gave him a four-year, $6.5 million contract last year. He played only three games before his knee sidelined him the rest of the season.

Defensive tackle Daryl Gardener's brief and tumultuous stint with the Denver Broncos formally ended when he was waived.

Gardener was suspended twice last season for conduct detrimental to the team, and in March he and the team settled a dispute over his $5 million signing bonus.

Also, the Atlanta Falcons cut cornerback Tyrone Williams which reduces the team's 2004 salary cap charge on Williams from $2.3 million to $600,000.

The Rams cut Warner, and the Jets said goodbye to Testaverde. Both are expected to land elsewhere for the upcoming season.

In other NFL news:

- Kurt Warner's agent worked on a deal with the New York Giants to bring the two-time NFL MVP to mentor top draft pick Eli Manning. Mark Bartelstein confirmed the two sides talked.

- Kordell Stewart agreed to a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, who plan to put the quarterback to work Thursday during the final session of a two-day passing camp.

- Pro Bowl defensive tackle Corey Simon will skip the Eagles' voluntary minicamp this week.