Broncos Pick Up Fifth Year Option for LB Von Miller

Jan 30, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller attends the Madden Bowl XX Red Carpet event at the USS Intrepid Mandatory. Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

After taking the decision nearly to the deadline, the Denver Broncos made a wise choice by picking up the fifth-year option for 2011 first round pick and star linebacker Von Miller.

Miller, the team’s first pick under the new collective bargaining agreement, was set to be a free agent in 2015 if the team had chosen not to pick up his $9.754 million option, which they made official on Thursday.

This was a no-brainer decision for the Broncos, but Miller’s actions last summer as well as a torn ACL forced them to think about it longer than they should have had to.

Since coming into the league in 2011, it’s hard to argue that many players have proven to be more effective pass rushers and overall defensive playmakers than Miller, who has racked up 166 tackles, 35 sacks, and 11 forced fumbles since coming into the league.

Last summer, Miller was suspended six games by the NFL and appealed to have it reduced but was unsuccessful for failed/tampered drug tests.

Miller gained some weight during his time off, and came back a bit sluggish.

In the team’s second to last game of the season, Miller tore his ACL in a game against Houston, and is now working his way back to hopefully be ready by the time the Broncos kick off against the Indianapolis Colts to start the 2014 NFL season.

Those reasons, coupled with some missed court dates and other head scratching mistakes by Miller, forced the Broncos to think twice about picking up that option, but in the end, Miller’s on-field talent is worth it.