Denver Broncos LB Von Miller reiterates he won’t sign tag
Denver Broncos star pass rusher Von Miller reiterated on Monday that he would not be signing the franchise tender the Broncos have offered…
In today’s segment of How Close Are The Broncos To Signing Von? we get an update from Miller himself that reiterates his stance on signing the franchise tender he’s been offered: It’s not happening.
Pro Football Talk relayed the message Miller gave to ESPN, saying that he wouldn’t be accepting the $14 million plus offer for 2016 he has on the table.
It’s either a long-term deal, or Miller is sitting out games.
“No, I’m not gonna play on the franchise tag. It just doesn’t make sense in any way…I’ve never really played for money,” Miller said. “It’s bigger than that for me. It’s a league-wide problem that I feel like I’m in a situation to help out with.”
People change over the course of time, but it’s worth noting that Miller was the rookie representative for the NFLPA back in 2011 when the new collective bargaining agreement was solidified. The franchise tag was part of that agreement that the players and the NFLPA all signed off on, so for Miller to characterize it as a problem is putting a little bit of blame on himself and those who represent him with the NFLPA.
The franchise tag is absolutely horrendous for NFL players looking for long-term contracts and guaranteed cash. It’s especially terrible for first round picks under this new CBA, who are also subject to a fifth-year team option, essentially a lesser version of the franchise tag.
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Because of the Broncos’ situation with Miller and his being under the first year of the new CBA, Miller’s rookie contract lasted five years and the Broncos have control over him with the franchise tag for the next couple of seasons.
Yikes.
It’s the reason why Miller is threatening to hold out for guaranteed money, because under the CBA that the players and owners agreed to, the team that drafts you can have control over you until you are basically already in your prime years as an NFL player, perhaps in some cases past the age of 30.
Miller isn’t about to let his pay day slip away, not when players like Olivier Vernon are signing monster deals with other clubs. Miller deserves to get paid, and the Broncos will eventually pay him.
He just wants it to be known that he won’t be playing under the franchise tag.