Denver, CO (Best E Casino) - The Denver Broncos are expected to release nine-time Pro Bowl safety John Lynch, according to a published report on Wednesday.

The Rocky Mountain News reported that the Broncos have given Lynch, who is set to start his 16th NFL season, permission to seek other options both inside and outside of football.

"I'm going to explore all my options," Lynch told the newspaper. "Is it retirement? Maybe. Is it playing for another team? Maybe. (Coach) Mike (Shanahan) has given me the opportunity to explore that and that's what I'm going to do. But I won't be playing for the Broncos."

Lynch, 36, took a significant pay cut in the offseason when he re-signed with the Broncos. The News reported Lynch was told he would have a chance to compete for a starting job, but he has had limited playing time in training camp, with Marlon McCree getting most of the reps in passing situations.

Among the teams expected to be interested in Lynch's on-field services are his hometown San Diego Chargers.

The Stanford product recorded 59 tackles in 2007 for Denver, where he has played the last four seasons. Lynch spent the first 11 years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he earned a reputation as one of the league's hardest-hitting safeties as a centerpiece of Tampa's "Cover Two" defensive scheme.