Denver released the veteran defensive end after he failed to record a sack in the first half of the season. Rice, who had 121 career sacks good for second among active players behind N.Y. Giants Michael Strahan, was coming off shoulder surgery and he was inactive for a couple of games earlier this season. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he didn't think Rice's shoulder was healthy. Rice said later that he was healthy and wanted to contribute. Rice played in two more games but didn't have a sack in either.

The Broncos signed three defensive ends Tuesday, making Rice expendable. Broncos safety John Lynch, who was Rice's teammate in Tampa Bay and helped convince him to sign with Denver, said Rice was frustrated and asked to be released.

"They obliged him," Lynch said.

Shanahan said when the Broncos lost defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban to a season-ending Achilles' tendon injury in preseason, they wanted a veteran who could rush the quarterback. Rice was signed to a one-year, $3 million contract and didn't produce.

"I've watched Simeon through a lot of years and he's played exceptionally well in the National Football League," Shanahan said. "It didn't work out for us."

After the Broncos signed ends Larry Birdine, Paul Carrington and Josh Mallard on Tuesday, Rice was squeezed out.

"Under the current situation we felt like we were better with the younger players we do have, they gave us a better chance to win, and that's the direction we're going," Shanahan said.