Denver Broncos decline 5th year option on Sylvester Williams

The Broncos declined the 5th year option on DL Sylvester Williams on Monday. Could be viewed as a surprising move considering Williams’ elevated play on the Denver defensive front but Williams would be due to make $6.75 million in 2017 had the Broncos exercised his option.

Williams started 15 games in 2015 for Denver accumulating 25 tackles and 3 sacks in the middle of the Broncos elite defense.

The team also announced several roster moves on Monday. To make room for the 21 college free agents signed over the weekend, the Broncos waived punter Will Johnson and Safety Ryan Murphy.

Johnson was signed to a future reserve contract in January but became expendable when the team drafted punter Riley Dixon in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Murphy spent time in 2015 on Denver’s practice squad.