Von Miller is probably the best defensive player in the history of the Denver Broncos.
So just like when an all-time great quarterback starts to break down or the franchise’s all-time leading receiver loses a step, it’s often hard for fans to accept.
This is not to say that Von Miller has lost a step but when it’s clear that he has, it will probably be tough for fans to accept. After all, his performance in Super Bowl 50 is one that diehard Broncos fans are never going to forget.
If you look at the glass half empty, Miller has arguably never been as good as he was on that February day. Looking at the glass half full, you would say that Miller is still one of the league’s premier pass rushers and that being in a new defensive scheme, where he was often asked to drop into coverage, was the reason for his low numbers last season.
Miller, who will turn 31 years old later this month, posted just eight sacks last season, breaking a string of five straight seasons where he had double digits in sacks. He had only five in 2013, but that season was marred by a suspension and a season-ending torn ACL.
Whether it was Fangio not utilizing Miller to the best of his abilities last season or not, the low sack total he posted and the fact that he is going to be on the other side of 30 leads to a logical question.
How many good years does Miller have left?
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The Broncos do have another player that can get after the quarterback in Bradley Chubb, but Miller’s success or failure is always going to be determined by how many times he brings the opposition’s quarterback down.
When you consider that he will have a cap hit of over $22 million in 2021, the idea of moving on from Miller and starting to look for more help in the way of capable pass rushers has to enter the collective mind of the organization.
This is not to knock Miller or say that this is going to happen, but it is a reminder that the NFL is a business above everything, driven by results on the field.
If Miller has another season in 2020 where he only gets to the quarterback eight times, you can just about guarantee that this conversation will be ramped up in a big way.