It appears the Denver Broncos and Von Miller are on the verge of a contract agreement that will keep the star linebacker with the team into the next decade.
While there may still be some final-hour haggling, sources tell 9NEWS that Miller is expected to accept the Broncos’ offer of six years and $114.5 million that for now includes $70 million in guarantees before the 2 p.m. Friday deadline.
In average annual value and total guaranteed dollars, Miller will become not only the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, but his contract will be the richest at any position other than quarterback.
Back on March 1, the Broncos slapped an exclusive franchise tag on Miller that included a one-year, $14.26 million salary. Negotiations snagged on June 7, when the Broncos set a deadline that passed.
Miller became furious when the six-year and $114.5 million offer became public. As recently as last week, it appeared Miller’s days as a Bronco were numbered. Miller’s feelings were sore and the two sides seemed too far apart on how the contract should be structured.
But negotiations became serious last Thursday afternoon, July 7, when Elway rewrote his proposal so that the guarantee of Miller’s third-year payout was triggered a year early. The two sides exchanged proposals again Friday with Elway working directly with Joby Branion, Miller’s agent. Again, the Broncos sweetened their guarantee.
The $19.083 million a year average will exceed the previous defensive average record of $19.063 million received last year by Miami’s Ndamukong Suh. And the $70 million in “essential” guarantees exceeds the $63.3 million guaranteed deal Philadelphia gave defensive tackle Fletcher Cox last month.
Only Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck, who two weeks ago received a new $140 million contract extension, has greater guarantees in his deal with $75 million.
In return, the Broncos will secure the new face of their franchise. With the retirement of quarterback Peyton Manning, Miller is now the team's No. 1 star — as he was during a historic playoff run last season when he had 2½ sacks with an interception against the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game and another 2½ sacks with two strip-sack fumbles that led to two touchdowns against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl.
Miller was named MVP of Super Bowl 50, setting the stage for highly publicized negotiations. Miller may have got a huge break when Philadelphia signed Cox to a six-year, $102 million contract extension last month. Cox's deal included "early triggers" that provided stronger binding guarantees of $55.55 million over three years and $63.3 million in Year 4. Considering Miller has been far more productive than Cox, the Broncos had to include the early triggers in his contract that helped increase his solid guarantees from $39.8 million to $70 million.
Mike Klis writes for KUSA TV, a TEGNA property.
