Lynch, Broncos part ways; next step uncertain

John Lynch’s days with the Broncos are over.

The 16-year safety, nine-time Pro Bowl pick and Buc from 1993-2003 met with coach Mike Shanahan in Englewood, Colo., on Wednesday. Lynch, who turns 37 on Sept. 25, told Denver’s KCNC-TV that he was given permission to explore other opportunities. Lynch skipped a meeting Tuesday and was excused from Wednesday’s workouts.

He held off retiring after last season at the urging of Broncos owner Pat Bowlen. He was told he would compete for a starting job when he took a pay cut. But with the emergence of Marlon McCree, Lynch didn’t play a single snap in the nickel or dime packages during camp’s first week.

Compiled from Times wires

(Pictured: John Lynch, Getty Images. Click to enlarge.)