ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have broken up the “No Fly Zone,” releasing three-time Pro Bowl strong safety T.J. Ward with a year left on his contract.

General manager John Elway said cutting the eighth-year pro was a difficult decision “after everything he’s done for our football team.”

“He was a respected teammate whose attitude and physical mindset played a big part in our success, especially during our Super Bowl run,” Elway said. “We thank T.J. for his contributions as a Bronco and wish him nothing but the best in his future.”

Ward set a nasty tone for Denver’s defense as a founding member of the “No Fly Zone” secondary that includes Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., Darian Stewart and Bradley Roby.

Ward was due $4.5 million this year in the final season of his four-year, $22.5 million contract he signed in 2014. The Broncos will eat about $1.3 million in dead money from his prorated signing bonus.

But this decision wasn’t about money or cap space. It was about looking toward the future.

Second-year pro Justin Simmons has stood out in place of Ward, who missed most of training camp and all of the preseason with a torn hamstring.