Denver Broncos should ‘make sense’ of Von Miller

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Denver Broncos general manager George Paton has taken the first steps in his tenure. After clearing nearly $ 25 million in ceiling space by releasing cornerback AJ Bouye and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, the Broncos now have around $ 48.4 million in ceiling space at the approach of the free agency period.

The ceiling space created places the Broncos in the top 5 of the ceiling space available in the league, but that space can quickly dissipate as options, offers and the franchise tag (potentially) are placed. on different players.

One of the biggest questions Paton faces in 2021 is what to do with pass hunter Von Miller. After missing the 2020 season after suffering a dislocation of the peroneal tendon in his ankle that required surgery, the 32-year-old’s future in Denver has been blighted.

The reason for Miller’s uncertain future in Denver is not due to his level of play, as he is still considered one of the best passers in the entire NFL, despite being above the 30-year-old hill. It’s his inflated 2021 cap that scrambles the water.

Currently supposed to have $ 22,225 million against the cap, the Broncos could save $ 18 million with just $ 4.225 million in dead money by not exercising Miller’s option for this season. With Denver grappling with the future of free agent safety Justin Simmons, defensive lineman Shelby Harris poised to hit the free market and the obvious holes in the cornerback, the Broncos are expected to spend a good chunk of their cap available on a veteran backup quarterback. Every dollar counts.

Losing Miller would hurt, but it might be Paton’s easiest way to create ceiling space now that Bouye and Casey have been released. Will the Broncos make this difficult decision?

In an appearance on The Pat McAfee ShowNFL insider Ian Rapoport shed some light on Miller’s future prospects in Denver.

If he’s free he’s going to have a really good deal, “Rapoport told host Pat McAfee.” I’ll say at this point I doubt he’s free as they have the team option ahead. . I don’t think they are going to choose the option because I think there is a good chance – I think there is a real chance that the two sides will come together and make sense. He wants to end his career in Denver. It is awesome. Missed last year due to injury. They have ceiling space. It’s hard to improve by letting one of your best players walk, so I imagine there is some kind of trade-off to smooth its course and make sense of it.

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After Miller’s reaction to the very idea of a contractual restructuring on 104.3 The fans Stokely and Zach Earlier this season, much of Broncos Country was rightly concerned about Miller’s future. It would be difficult to free Miller for nothing just to see him join a championship contender and play at an elite level for another team, but sometimes that is the reality of the NFL.

Like when DeMarcus Ware left Dallas for the Broncos, not all legends play their entire careers for the team that drafted them in today’s NFL. The Broncos have the cap space to exercise Miller’s option this year and survive, but as Rapoport said, Paton is more likely to work out an extension with Miller’s camp that adds years to his deal, increases the guaranteed money in subsequent years and reduces part of the Von ceiling for 2021 reached in future years where the ceiling is expected to rise again.

Extending the still incredibly valuable Miller for future years while increasing spending flexibility by lowering the Von cap for 2021 is smart accounting and a smart business. Of course, there is always some level of concern about prolonging an aging rusher after a serious injury.

The Broncos, as McAfee will state later in the interview, could certainly use the cap savings to switch from Miller to being more aggressive in the quarterback market this year. However, aside from the possibility of Dak Prescott becoming available, there really isn’t a quarterback worth considering breaking the bank in the open market.

If the Broncos are capable of working on an extension and restructuring for Miller, Denver is adding financial flexibility to an offseason that few teams can spend. This advantage could give Denver a chance to cash in on some short-term bargains, and if not, Paton can simply use the cap savings created by a restructuring to roll over to 2022.

By suppressing the release of Bouye and Casey, decisions now become much more difficult for Paton. Can the Broncos strike a long-term deal with Simmons before they have to use the franchise tag?

Will Denver exercise Miller’s contract option for 2021 or can both parties come to an agreement to extend Von and make his salary more favorable to the team during a restricted season? For those hoping Miller will become one of the few elite players to play his entire career with one team, the latest information from Rapoport has sparked new optimism, despite Von’s continuing legal question marks.

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