Broncos: Von Miller back in the fold after team picks up contract option
Von Miller is coming back to the Denver Broncos for 2021.
After some deliberation and legitimate concern over whether new GM George Paton would bring Miller back for the 2021 season at his current cap number of $22.125 million, the team saw the market moving quickly for pass rushers and decided ultimately to pick up the $7 million guarantee in Miller’s contract.
The Broncos will exercise the $7 million guarantee option on Von Miller's $18 million salary for 2021, per source. Von stays. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) March 16, 2021
According to Klis, the Broncos also offered Miller a restructured contract, which Miller declined.
Broncos offered Miller restructured deal last week that included pay cut and Von declined, per sources. But while Broncos wanted Miller at lower price, George Paton's intention was always to keep Von. Too good a player. With 8 pass rushers avg. $15M per, Von's $18M OK. #9sports https://t.co/xoj8mr1G7y
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) March 16, 2021
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what was offered, what was declined, or anything else. What matters is that Von Miller is back in the fold for the 2021 season.
The team can approach re-signing him after this year and figure that out at another time. The possibility of coming to a contract extension agreement with Miller still exists, but at this point, it seems likely he is going to play the 2021 season at the contract he agreed to after he won Super Bowl MVP.
Von Miller took to Instagram after the Broncos picked up his option and had this to say:
.@VonMiller on Instagram:
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) March 16, 2021
"I have totally bought into being a Coloradoan for life, let alone a Denver Bronco. I want to be here forever through the thick, the thin, the Super Bowl seasons, the losing seasons. I want to be here forever."
Miller has been an absolute superstar for the Denver Broncos since being drafted second overall in 2011. He has had a couple of issues off the field, but since DeMarcus Ware came aboard in 2014, Miller has really been an asset in the community and a tremendous leader on the team.
Even though he’s just 31 years of age, Miller has established himself as arguably the best defensive player in Denver Broncos history and some would say that’s not even arguable at this point.
Miller, had he reached the free agent market, would have been one of the most coveted players on the board and it would not have taken him long to find a new team, just like it didn’t take Ware long to sign in Denver in the 2014 offseason.
With Miller back, the Broncos now have their projected top three EDGE players back for the 2021 season and the dream of seeing he and Chubb together on the field in Vic Fangio’s defense is still alive.
Not only that, but the Broncos have Shelby Harris back and Dre’Mont Jones emerging as a star on the defensive line.
Things could really be shaping up in year three for this team under Vic Fangio.