Denver Broncos: How Von Miller trade could affect locker room

Von Miller has been traded from the Denver Broncos to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Denver Broncos will rely even more on safety Justin Simmons and his leadership following the departure of Von Miller, who was traded to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday. This trade moves the second-oldest player on the team, resulting in the team now having eight players 30-years old or older.

Von Miller was the cornerstone of the Denver Broncos since his early years. He got to learn a little bit under future Hall of Fame linebacker DeMarcus Ware, and was also surrounded by many great leaders including Peyton Manning and Demaryius Thomas.

Despite the team beating the Washington Football Team this past Sunday, they still lost four-straight games after winning their first three to start the season. This move is about the future, not what could be in 2021.

From a business standpoint, it makes sense as the Broncos acquired draft capital. In regards to Broncos Country’s hearts, I’ll bet the majority of the fan base is in tears. It sucks. I’m with those people during this difficult time.

The futures of some players on the team are up in the air now. That’s absolutely not trade speculation, don’t worry. The point is, if Von Miller can get traded, anybody can. This feels almost exactly like when Demaryius Thomas was traded to the Houston Texans. It’s painful.

Per reports, Von Miller and his teammates were initially blindsided by the trade. A veteran leader, a Hall of Fame player, gone.

Several players have chimed in on Twitter following the news.

Even “Hall of Fame quarterback” Kendall Hinton commented on the trade via Twitter:

This coaching staff was already walking on eggshells prior to this trade. Players have tweeted about the news on Monday, and they’re just as upset as Broncos Country is.

If you ask me, I think that the move to trade Miller was a sign that they’re not going far this season. They’re planning for the future. It’s a George Paton move; not a Vic Fangio/Ed Donatell move.

If Fangio is relieved of his duties as head coach of the Denver Broncos at the end of the season, the team’s next head coach should be searching for leadership.

Heck, that’s honestly what I thought this team was doing. It appears they may be switching gears a little bit because Miller was a huge part in that.

In seven games this season for the Broncos, who have struggled to get much pressure on quarterbacks this season, Miller recorded 4.5 sacks.

Now they’ll rely on Malik Reed, Jonathon Cooper and a couple of others before Bradley Chubb returns to the field following an IR stint.

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This really stings. I get it, but it stings.