Early Release, But Long Career

[Gary Najman]

One although not that long, it's interesting, is QB Erik Kramer. Undrafted in 1987, he made the Atlanta Falcons replacement team, starting 2 games. Then he didn't play another regular season game until 1991 with Detroit and hung in the NFL into 1999, starting also with Chicago and San Diego.

[7DnBrnc53]

Wes Welker was cut in 2004 after Week 1 by the Chargers. He then went on to have a good career with Miami, NE, Denver, and a short time with the Rams.

[NWebster]

Sam Mills with the Browns and then, I believe, Montreal of the CFL before finally hooking up with Jim Mora in the USFL. Interesting to think how many guys would never have played a down in the NFL had they not played for the USFL in the spring. For every Walker, Kelly and Anthony Carter there was a Buford Jordan, Richard Johnson, etc

[sheajets]

Craig Hentrich with the Jets. Believe we cut him in 1993 and then he pretty much became the best punter in football for a long while. Also vaguely recalled him subbing in for some kicking duties here and there.

[RRMarshall]

WR Randy "The Rabbit" Vataha...cut by the Rams in preseason of 1971 and then teamed with his Stanford teammate Jim Plunkett and later Steve Grogan from 1971-1976 in New England, finished his career in Green Bay in 1977. Was so small he actually had a part time job as one of the 7 Dwarfs at Disneyland. He's a millionaire business man in Boston now...

[Ronfitch]

Does not fit within this category, but interestingly (to me, anyway) is that Art Donovan's first three seasons were marked by each franchise folding that season (Colts in '50, Yanks in '51 and Texans in '52).

[vikingsfan1963]

How about Don Maynard? Cut by the Giants and went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Jets and finishing with the Cardinals IIRC.

[JeffreyMiller]

Lionel Taylor, cut by Bears, fabulous career in AFL

[L.C. Greenwood]

Pro footballl's career all-purpose yardage king was released by the Chiefs after the 1987 season, returned one punt for the 1988 Bucs in preseason, but that couldn't stop his drive and determination. Over a staggering 26,000 yards later in Canada, Mike Clemons earned induction into the CFL Hall of Fame.

[John Grasso]

Mike "Pinball" Clemons had one of the best nicknames in pro football.
He is also quite an accomplished individual.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_Clemons