Broncos middle linebacker Steven Johnson, a top special teams player the past three seasons and a seven-game defensive starter to finish the 2014 season, has been notified by the club he will not be tendered a contract as a restricted free agent.

Johnson, thus, will be free to sign with any team as an unrestricted free agent when the NFL league season opens at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

It was the costly, $1.542 million minimum tender and the Broncos’ switch to Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense that may have cost Johnson. The Broncos have not dismissed the possibility of re-signing Johnson at a lesser salary for the 2015 season but he will first have a chance to shop his services to other teams.

Undrafted out of Kansas in 2012, Johnson quickly became one of the more popular young players in the Broncos’ locker room as he was a determined hustler who stayed quiet but was ready to take on an any task.

Johnson, 26, was a special teams regular for 2½ seasons until middle linebacker Nate Irving went down with a knee injury at midseason. Johnson started seven of the Broncos’ final eight games, including their second-round playoff against Indianapolis.