Von Miller: Denver Broncos’ Top Priority This Offseason
Von Miller‘s contract situation is the Denver Broncos’ top priority this offseason.
With the Denver Broncos winning Super Bowl 50, they must attempt to put together a contender next season to try and replicate a stunning 2015-2016 season. While the quarterback situation for the Denver Broncos remains clouded, the team needs to start with bringing back Von Miller next year. Von Miller projects to be the highest paid linebacker in the NFL, following an otherworldly start to his career.
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Von Miller won the Super Bowl MVP after six tackles, one assist, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Moreover, one of the forced fumbles led to a defensive touchdown for the Denver Broncos. Without Von Miller’s production, the Denver Broncos might have struggled to win the game. In just five seasons, Von Miller accumulated four Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro nominations, showing his dominance since entering the NFL.
Von Miller, the second pick of the NFL Draft, figures to be in line for a nice pay increase after finishing out a four-year, $21M deal. Although contract negotiations between the Denver Broncos and Von Miller have broken down, the team is a lock to use the franchise tag on the All-Pro linebacker. However, the franchise tag only guarantees Von Miller’s services for the 2016-2017 season.
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Von Miller is a difference maker for the Denver Broncos’ defense, and the Broncos need to beef up their offer to keep him long-term. At just 26 years old, Von Miller has plenty of years ahead of him to dominate the defensive side of the ball. Von Miller transformed the Denver Broncos’ defense from a great defense to an elite defense. Also, he was Cam Newton‘s kryptonite in Super Bowl 50, utilizing his elite speed and pass rushing abilities to regularly put the NFL’s MVP under pressure.
The Denver Broncos do not want to put a sour taste in Von Miller’s mouth, although the franchise tag is heavily frowned upon by players. If the Denver Broncos plan on bringing back Von Miller past next season, they need to get on the right track with contract negotiations. Von Miller is deserving a handsome pay day, so if the Denver Broncos want him on their team, they will need to pay up.
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By paying Von Miller, the Denver Broncos will have to figure out how to provide complementary pieces around him in the upcoming seasons; however, the NFL Draft is a solid way to make that happen, just look at Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks. Moreover, the Denver Broncos have solid players flying under the radar, like Bradley Roby and Kayvon Webster.
Before the 2015-2016 season began, many believe Justin Houston‘s contract set the benchmark for what Von Miller should expect on the open market. In 2015, Houston signed a six-year, $101M deal, with over $52M guaranteed. The Denver Broncos figure to bring back a similar-look defense next season; however, after the 2016-2017 season, the Denver Broncos’ defense may look slightly different.
Von Miller is worth the pricetag, and the Denver Broncos need to create a good relationship with the All-Pro linebacker. Miller averages 12.0 sacks and 42.0 tackles per season, and he is a necessary component for the Denver Broncos’ to find success on the field. The Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50, solely, on the production of their defense. And over the past few seasons, defenses have been proven to win championships.
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In 16 games this past season, Von Miller managed to force four fumbles in the regular season. Moreover, he added a few in the postseason, and he even set the record for most sacks in a postseason game. Von Miller’s status with the Denver Broncos for the upcoming season is not in question, due to the franchise tag, but the Broncos need to address his situation sooner rather than later.