The Denver Broncos are hoping to figure out a way to keep Von Miller in the Mile High City for the 2021 season if not the remainder of his NFL career.
Miller has a contract option for 2021 worth $18 million and should the Broncos choose to decline that club option, they would save that $18 million in salary cap space but they would be saying goodbye to a team legend.
That is, unless they can strike up a revised contract to keep the star pass rusher wearing no. 58 in orange and blue.
One of the most recent updates on Miller’s situation came from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who stated that both parties are hoping something can work out here. Rap Sheet stated in his most recent report on Miller that he doubts Miller hits free agency but he thought that on the chance he did hit free agency, he would have a very robust market.
There’s no question about it.
Even entering his age 32 season, Miller is an impact player. He’s coming off of injury, but the last time Miller was out on the practice field, he was his usual, dominant self.
What teams would be the most intriguing in pursuit of Miller as a free agent?
1. Dallas Cowboys
How crazy would it be if DeMarcus Ware finished his career in Denver and Von Miller finished his career in Dallas?
After missing a few games and hitting a career-low with six sacks in 2013, the Dallas Cowboys moved on from Ware who became part of the Denver Broncos’ vaunted 2014 free agency class.
He was a crucial reason why the Broncos were able to win Super Bowl 50 in just his second season with the team.
Ware was also instrumental in the personal development of Von Miller, who was suspended and injured in 2013. Ware showed Miller how to be a pro, and his presence changed the course of Miller’s career trajectory completely.
Miller, a Texas native, returning to his home state to play for the Cowboys (who are desperate for help in the pass rush department) is something Dallas fans have been dreaming of for quite some time.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Last offseason, the Baltimore Ravens scooped up Denver Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe in free agency.
The Ravens are not always active in free agency — they tend to build through the draft and re-sign key in-house players first — but when they are, they make it count.
Baltimore is poised to lose Matthew Judon to free agency this offseason as well as Yannick Ngakoue, Tyus Bowser, and Pernell McPhee.
That’s a hefty chunk of their edge group right there.
If Von Miller hits the market, I have almost zero doubt that the Ravens and their general manager Eric DeCosta would come calling. Baltimore is presently in a Super Bowl window. In recent years, they have made a couple of bold moves to bring in players like Earl Thomas, Marcus Peters, Ngakoue, and Calais Campbell.
The Ravens are aggressive when they feel they need to be an a player like Miller hitting the free agent market?
That would necessitate their attention.
Remember when a fax machine issue caused the Broncos to lose Elvis Dumervil to the Baltimore Ravens? As gross as it would be to see yet another dominant Broncos pass rusher play for the Ravens as they contend for a title, it makes a lot of sense for the team and player.
3. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have become an odd destination type of team in recent years.
Cleveland’s collection of young talent, big trade acquisitions, and fun free agent pickups has all added up to one of the better rosters in the NFL.
Cleveland has a superstar pass rusher in Myles Garrett. Just like Von Miller, Garrett played his college ball at Texas A&M, so there is an element of brotherhood there between these two guys, even though they were separated by six years in their respective draft classes.
Having Miller on the opposite side of the field from Myles Garrett would give Cleveland arguably the best pass rush duo off the edge in the entire league. Garrett has become so dominant in the last year or two, and he’s continually getting better.
Miller already plays at a high level, but with Garrett likely getting a lot of the attention here, how do you protect your quarterback against a duo like this?
You would have to think that if Miller hits free agency, a lot of teams will come calling but if Myles Garrett could do some recruiting, I think Cleveland would stand a pretty good chance.
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Texas A&M fans would have to tune in every Sunday to see two of the best prospects to ever come out of that school go get after quarterbacks together.