If Elvis Dumervil is mad, he’s not showing it. He may not agree with the Broncos’ desire to slash his $12 million salary for the 2013 season, but he isn’t defiantly making any “pay me or release me” demands.

The Broncos communicated their cost-cutting intentions Thursday to Dumervil’s agent, Marty Magid.

“They informed us they want to do a restructure,” Magid said during a phone interview. “I’m not classifying this as a pay cut. I’m going ahead with this being a restructure. If we can meet on some common ground, there’s a potential we can get it done. If we can’t, they’ll have to make a decision. But we’re definitely in good faith going to try to negotiate this out.

“Elvis wants to return as a Bronco if it all possible, and that’s what we’re trying to do — make the client happy and try to appease the team.”

This doesn’t mean Dumervil, one of the NFL’s top pass rushers since being drafted by the Broncos in 2006, will be back with the team for an eighth season. It just means he’s open to negotiation.

A defensive end who plays opposite the left tackle — typically the best pass blocker on the offensive line — Dumervil has combined his relatively short 5-foot-11 frame with 34-inch arm reach to create a leverage advantage over larger blockers. He led the NFL with 17 sacks in 2009, which prompted then Broncos coach Josh McDaniels to reward him with a six-year contract extension worth $61.5 million.

But as athletes in all sports have discovered since baseball began escalating player salaries in the mid-1970s, it’s not easy living up to the expectations that come with big money. Dumervil suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in training camp in 2010, then fought through several nagging injuries while posting 9½ sacks in 2011 and 11 sacks with six forced fumbles in 2012.

Magid said no deadline has been given to him, but two are out there — Tuesday, when NFL free agency opens, and March 16, when Dumervil’s $12 million salary would become guaranteed.

If a deal isn’t worked out, Dumervil probably would go to the top of the free-agent, pass-rushing defensive ends or outside linebackers available, along with Paul Kruger, Cliff Avril, Dwight Freeney and John Abraham.

n turn, the Broncos would be interested in signing one of those pass rushers at a lesser salary than what they would have paid Dumervil and use the savings to strengthen other positions of need.

“Elvis has much gratitude toward the organization,” Magid said. “As you and I know, he’s a fixture there. It’s a situation where we’ll work through it and hopefully it will be a fast resolution.”

Mike Klis: 303-954-1055, mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis