The Denver Broncos declined the fifth-year contract option on linebacker Shane Ray's rookie deal Wednesday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.
The option would have been worth $9.232 million for the 2019 season.
This was a surprise for the linebacker, who was confident about remaining a part of the team when he told Jhabvala on April 20:
"I'm not concerned. I love being a Bronco. John [Elway]'s got a lot of things to deal with, and whether or not he picks up my option, it doesn't say anything about what I'm going to be for this team, my role for this team.