Denver Broncos decline option on DT Sylvester Williams

The Denver Broncos declined to exercise the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, multiple media outlets reported Monday.

As a result, Williams, the 28th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, will become a free-agent following the 2016 season.

He was scheduled to make $6.757 million on his fifth-year option in 2017, according to the Denver Post, but the Broncos declined to pick up the option.

"In my heart I feel that was best for me, one being because I'll become a free agent at 28 instead of 29," Williams said via text to the Post. "And two, this is gonna be my best year and with Bill (Kollar) and Wade (Phillips) I'll only get better."

Williams started 15 games for the Broncos last season and had 25 tackles and three sacks. He will probably remain in the starting lineup in 2016.