Broncos lineman walks away from $1 million: ‘I’m on to new things’

Denver Broncos backup offensive lineman John Moffitt decided he had played enough football and so he walked away from the game on Wednesday at age 27.

“Football was fun but my head hurts-haha kidding roger goodell. I’m on to new things, thanks to everyone along the way!!!” he tweeted.

The Broncos had placed Moffitt on the reserve/left squad list Tuesday after he did not report to the team on Monday after a bye week.

Moffitt’s spot was taken on the 53-man roster by center J.D. Walton, who was activated from the physically unable to perform list before the 2 p.m. Tuesday deadline.

The Broncos have five days to release Moffitt, who walked away from more than $1 million in salary for the remainder of this season and 2014.

The third-year lineman, who was the No. 75 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin, started 15 games at guard for the Seattle Seahawks in 2011 and 2012. The Broncos acquired him from Seattle on Aug. 20 in a deal for defensive tackle Sealver Siliga. Moffitt played in two games for Denver.

Moffitt said he wasn’t unhappy with his playing time in Denver but that he had lost his zeal for the game. He told 102.3 ESPN that he also was concerned about his future health and well being.

“Scientists do know that hits to the head do deteriorate your brain,” he said.