ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Ryan Clady rejected both a $50 million offer and the chance to talk about it.
The Denver Broncos and the two-time Pro Bowl left tackle, who will play a crucial role in protecting Peyton Manning's blind side this season, ended talks Monday on a contract extension until after the 2012 season.
Clady walked off the field behind his fellow offensive linemen after Monday night's practice and declined to discuss his contract situation.
John Elway told The Denver Post that while negotiations hit at impasse, the Broncos were "looking forward to Ryan playing a key role on our team this year and hope he will be a Bronco for many seasons to come."
Clady will make $3.5 million this season in the final season of a five-year deal he signed as a rookie out of Boise State in 2008. The Broncos had reportedly offered the fifth-year pro $50 million over five years with $28 million guaranteed.
In free agency next year, Clady and his agent, Pat Dye, can seek a deal more in line with Cleveland's Joe Thomas, whose deal averages $11.5 million a season. The Broncos could also put the franchise tag on Clady, which would pay him in the neighbourhood of $10 million in 2013.
The Broncos are hoping it doesn't get to that.
Clady has started every game in his career and played in his second Pro Bowl last season, but he hasn't been the same transcendent tackle he was before blowing out a knee playing basketball in the spring of 2010.
