Just a few days ago, it was unclear if LB Von Miller would be playing for a team other than the Broncos in 2021. After all, he missed all of last season due to an ankle injury, and the team was hoping he would agree to a pay cut. But Miller held his ground, and the Broncos ended up exercising an option that guarantees $7MM of Miller’s $18MM salary in 2021.
Still, Miller will be due for unrestricted free agency next year, and although he made the Pro Bowl in 2019, the eight sacks he posted that season were his lowest total since a suspension-shortened 2013 campaign. So while he will remain with the only team he has ever known this year, his future beyond that remains uncertain.
If the soon-to-be 32-year-old has it his way, though, he will be with the Broncos until the day he decides to retire. “I have totally bought into being a Coloradoan for life, let alone a Denver Bronco,” Miller recently said on Instagram (via Troy Renck of Denver 7). “I want to be here forever, through the thick, the thin, the Super Bowl seasons, the losing seasons. I want to be here forever.”
Per Renck, the Broncos were unified in their desire to retain Miller, and with Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed also in the fold, Denver could trot out a rather imposing pass rush in 2021. The club’s secondary should also be in good shape, as it has added Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller in recent days to bolster a group that already included Bryce Callahan — who can now return to his familiar nickel CB role — and the recently-extended Justin Simmons.
Renck also says that Denver could approach Miller about an extension that would lower his 2021 cap hit of $22.225MM. But given the uncertainty created by his age and recent injury, it’s unclear if the two sides would be able to come to terms on a multi-year pact at this point.
Broncos making some solid moves this offseason. Lock’s make or break year. Definitely the most screwed team by the NFL having no bye week last season and no QB for a week. In a division with KC and LA, it wont be easy but they need to find a way to win games
Denver isn’t on anyone’s radar which makes them an attractive sleeper pick to me. Fangio will ensure they have a solid defense. Goodell also delivered a financial cheap shot against the Broncos for not having their ownership issues solved but once that transition is complete they will again be a team to reckon with.
The fanboys can’t see the forest for the trees. Miller is not only done as a difference maker, he is now costing the Broncos a chance to evaluate and extend their newest talents, i.e., players like Malik Reed.
Miller and his off-the-field issues should have been cut, as it will be a close race between whether the league suspends him or he re-injure himself shortly after the season begins – but hey, it’s all about selling tickets isn’t it?
You sound bitter. Why?
I’d like to know too, out of curiosity if nothing else. I’ve asked MikeHighFan on a couple of Broncos articles but he has yet to answer. I’m not sure why a supposed Broncos has such vitriol towards the team without offering his view of a productive alternative.
Mile High is probably upset that he never got an invite to one of Von’s Halloween parties.
There are no free agent edge rushers available that will do better than Miller this year. (he reportedly worked his ass off before injury last year and is hungry) Denver is still 20 MM below salary cap at the moment. Malik Reed was on the field all of last year and Denver’s pass rush was below average with him playing. In a do or die season I choose Miller over Reed every time and Reed will still play a lot as they will rotate guys.
Von Miller’s Pff player grade in his “bad season” of 2019 was 79.3 even though Chubb was out and he got doubled on most plays.
Malik Reed’s Pff player grade as a starter in 2020 was 64.3.