Denver Broncos: 5 takeaways from George Paton’s introduction
Denver Broncos introduce George Paton as GM
2. What will happen with Justin Simmons and Von Miller?
Spoiler alert: There is no more clarity here after Paton’s introductory press conference than there was before it.
We know only based on John Elway’s comments that the futures of Von Miller and Justin Simmons are in the hands of Paton.
George Paton on decisions on Justin Simmons/Von Miller: "All those tough decisions start when I can meet with the coaches and the scouting staff."
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) January 19, 2021
Those meetings have not happened yet.
Until meetings with the coaching staff and scouting department happen, the team will not likely be moving forward with major decisions. Luckily, those will be happening over the next few weeks.
The situation with Simmons seems obvious, but only time will tell what Paton feels is the right move for the Broncos. There is also not clarity at this point of what the NFL’s salary cap will be in 2021, even though many are operating under the assumption it will drop to $175 million and anything above that is just gravy.
One comment Paton made that could tie in with Simmons’ situation was his desire to draft, develop, and get players on second contracts.
George Paton says you “build your best culture” by drafting, developing and hopefully giving those players second contracts.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 19, 2021
Based on this quote alone, Justin Simmons would seem to be the poster-child of building your best culture, would he not?
Paton didn’t draft him, but the Broncos did, and Simmons has developed into one of the best safeties in the NFL and with two Walter Payton Man of the Year nominations, he’s also proven to be one of the best human beings in the league.
Whether or not Simmons becomes one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL is now in the hands of the first-time GM Paton, but based on his philosophy, it seems like that is a situation where the best possible outcome is Simmons getting the proverbial bag.
As for Von Miller? No one has any clue what is going to happen there, but the clock toward March is ticking. The Broncos have to make a decision on Miller’s club option for 2021 shortly after the start of the new league year.
All that has been reported giving any clarity to this situation is that the Broncos had hoped to have Miller at a restructured or reduced contract (per Mike Klis) before these legal issues began playing out.
General managers do not have to consult the fans on every move, or any move for that matter, but how would you like to have to face down the decisions of letting both Von Miller and Justin Simmons walk in your first year on the job?