Denver Broncos save $3.5 million by releasing middle linebacker Joe Mays
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Denver Broncos are saving $3.5 million with the release of linebacker Joe Mays, who lost his starting job and then broke his left leg last season.
Not long after signing for $12 million over three years, Mays was suspended a game and docked $50,000 for an illegal hit on Houston's Matt Schaub. He then lost his middle linebacker job following a poor performance by the defense in a loss at New England.
That relegated Mays to special teams, and he was blocking on a punt return Oct. 28 when a Saints player inadvertently leg-whipped him, fracturing his fibula just above his left ankle, ending his season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Although healthy again, Mays was the odd man out with Nate Irving, Stewart Bradley and Steven Johnson vying for the job this summer.