The Denver Broncos are coming off one of the biggest what if seasons in the history of the franchise, and most of us would agree that this team would have played in the Super Bowl had Bo Nix not gotten hurt, but this team needed more than just Nix to get deep into the playoffs.
Thanks to an elite defense that is downright menacing at rushing the passer, coupled with a strong offensive line and clutch play all around, Denver became a juggernaut and won 14 games in the regular season. The team did get better in the offseason despite re-signing many of their own players, as the Jaylen Waddle trade finally gives the offense what it has been missing.
And on Tuesday, head coach Sean Payton spoke to the media, and among the many things he said, one thing does stick out in a big way and could end up having a hugely entertaining ripple effect on the defense.
The Denver Broncos may have an open spot for a Von Miller return in 2026
This is a major piece of news, as Payton said that outside linebacker Jonah Elliss, now a third-year player for the team, will take some snaps at inside linebacker:
Sean Payton said OLB Jonah Elliss will take some snaps at ILB.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) March 31, 2026
This was Payton mentioning it for the first time, and there could be a lot to unpack here, but if we follow the momentum just based on this quote, there could be reason to believe that the Broncos would ideally like Elliss to settle into a full-time role at the position. Still only set to play in his age-23 season, his two older brothers in the NFL, Kaden and Christian, all play inside linebacker.
This is a 'family' thing, if you will, but the Broncos' Elliss could actually profile as a really solid inside linebacker:
#Broncos Jonah Ellis’s RAS score when calculated at LB instead of edge. pic.twitter.com/fYTWfGcYRy
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) March 31, 2026
If the Broncos do plan on moving Elliss to inside linebacker full-time, it would, essentially, open up a spot in the EDGE room, as all of Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Que Robinson, and Dondrea Tillman occupy that room as of now.
Do you see where I am going here?
Would it be insane to suggest that this potentially 'open' spot could be for an all-time franchise legend in Von Miller?
No, I don't think that is insane to suggest at all. In fact, I believe it's a plausible thing to think. The Broncos are clearly high on the other players in that room, perhaps Robinson the most, but even with Elliss out of the picture, the Broncos EDGE group is a top-5 unit in the NFL, but they would be in a position to add another player.
And while Miller does not play special teams, he was a capable pass-rusher in 2025. Miller was on the Washington Commanders this past season, and in 37 percent of the defensive snaps, he racked up nine sacks, six tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits.
For reference, the Broncos' Cooper, in 17 games and 61 percent of the defensive snaps in 2025, finished with eight sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits. Not only would Miller be a slam-dunk signing as a rotational, pass-rush only piece, but it would be the return of one of the best players in franchise history.
It'd be hard to put into words just how good it would feel if the Broncos eventually signed Miller, but with Elliss potentially going to inside linebacker full-time, the Broncos really wouldn't have a better option at EDGE to replace him than Miller.