Von Miller Guaranteed $70 Million In Broncos Latest Offer

The long negotiation between the Denver Broncos and their defensive star Von Miller has come to an end, as Miller will accept a record offer of six years and $114.5 million, which will see $70 million guaranteed.

Even for one of the best players in the league, this is a staggering amount. Miller’s $70 million will be the second-highest amount of guaranteed money ever offered to an NFL player, and the highest to a non-quarterback. It would surpass the $63 million which the Philadelphia Eagles gave defensive end Fletcher Cox in June.

The franchise tag problem

This is a happy ending between Miller and the Broncos, as the star tweeted “for life” after signing the contract. But it also represents the end of a long free agency battle between the team and their eccentric star.

Last March, the Broncos chose to apply their franchise tag on Miller. The franchise tag meant that Miller had to stay with the Broncos for at least one year and would not be permitted to discuss signing with another NFL team. In exchange, Miller would receive at least a one-year deal worth $14.29 million, though that would be well below what an athlete of Miller’s caliber could make.

The Broncos made it clear after they placed the tag that they hoped to sign a long-term deal with Von Miller. But Miller made it very clear that he strongly disliked the idea of being tagged. On Monday, he said, “I’m not gonna play on the franchise tag. It just doesn’t make sense in any way.”

Miller has argued that the franchise tag is a league-wide problem because it places an onerous restriction on NFL players. Star NFL players cannot go out on the market because of the franchise tag, which means that they cannot find their true market value and get paid what they are worth.

The NFL is the only American pro sports league which has a franchise tag, though some NBA analysts have mused about a franchise tag in the aftermath of Kevin Durant’s departure to the Golden State Warriors. Those who defend the tag argue that it ensures competitive balance in the NFL, as all of the superstars cannot go and join one team.

Acrimonious negotiations

But while Miller could only negotiate with the Broncos, that did not stop him from making things difficult.

To begin with, the Broncos offered Miller $39.8 million in guaranteed money. Miller found the offer insulting, especially in the aftermath of Cox’s massive deal with the Eagles. The two sides stonewalled for months until July 7, when John Elway increased the guaranteed amount to $58 million.

While the move did prompt feelers from Miller’s camp, both sides seemed stuck in a standstill as recently as earlier this week. But as Elway knew that Miller would be critical to Denver’s hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champions, he finally raised it to that incredible $70 million figure.

Future of the Broncos

Fortunately, the Broncos did lock up Von Miller, which is welcome news for a team which has seen plenty of bad news over these past few months. Elway observed in a statement that he got what he wanted.

“This was a long process that ended the way we all wanted—with Von being part of the Denver Broncos for many more years.”

While the Broncos did lock up their franchise star, they have a lot of work to do if they intend to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. After losing Peyton Manning to retirement and replacement quarterback Brock Osweiler to the Houston Texans, the Broncos have to find a new quarterback and find up ways to shore up their offense. Currently, the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks are among two teams which are perceived as stronger Super Bowl contenders than the Broncos.

But Denver still has an elite defense, they have a history of winning, even without elite quarterbacks, and they improved their run game by retaining C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. If the Broncos can continue to lead that stifling defense with Von Miller at the helm, then they could manage to win the Super Bowl even with a mediocre quarterback like Mark Sanchez.

[Photo By Ben Margot/AP Photos]