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Whatever you do, don’t ask Von Miller about his 2021 contract with the Broncos. Or if you do, you’d better not suggest that he might or should be open to restructuring or accepting a pay cut.
An interview won’t end well, based on Miller’s cryptic appearance on the radio in the middle of the 2020 season. However, the future of eight-time Pro Bowler is really a problem head on for Broncos fans and the media. .
After missing the entire 2020 season with an ankle injury, the Super Bowl 50 MVP is entering the final year of his contract. Set to earn $ 17.5 million in base salary, Miller’s actual salary cap is $ 22.225 million.
After raising $ 23.5million last season while recovering from surgery, paying him something similar, if there was a real question he might be sidelined next season , could be an untenable situation, potentially, for the Broncos. Complicating things is his age.
Miller will be 32 in March. Miller idol and future mentor DeMarcus Ware played until the age of 34, but his body eventually gave way and he had to hang up his crampons after the 2016 season.
That doesn’t mean Miller will follow the same path, but that’s often how the NFL’s brightest stars are on the wrong side of the 30s. Vic Fangio, who is set to return for the third year as head coach of the Broncos, might not. have a ton of say in what happens with Miller in 2021, but interpreting both the content and the tone of his remarks on Miller, it doesn’t seem like he’s necessarily preparing his team to feature the star pass rusher.
Fangio was asked on Friday if he expects Miller to return in 2021.
“I’m sure I will be asked, and I love Von,” Fangio said. “I think one of the most disappointing things about this season was when he fell, because I really, really thought he was going to have a really good season for us and for him. He put in a lot of time. and effort in the offseason. He had great vision and great focus, and I think if he does the same in the offseason that he did in the offseason, he can come back to the same point. .
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Fangio chose not to answer the question, and instead spoke in a general sense that he expects Miller to play in 2021. It’s a relevant question but perhaps better suited to GM John Elway. .
We’ll have the chance to hear from Elway on Monday for his annual end-of-season presser. Fangio’s posture is that of forgetting. Elway could follow suit but I doubt it.
If the Broncos need some cap relief this year, in a Perfect World Elway approaches Miller about a short-term extension that would lower his 2021 cap without necessarily lowering his salary. With the NFL salary cap set to drop, but no more than $ 175 million, teams could be under fire following a full season with no fan attendance income.
An extension for Miller could lower his 2021 cap and postpone hits into the future, spreading them evenly. Such a move would recognize Miller’s unique position with the Broncos as an all-time player and perhaps even allow him to retire in Orange and Blue, depending on how long such a deal lasts.
Fans would do well to be prepared for possible friction between Miller and Elway this offseason. Then again, the Broncos could just bite the bullet on the $ 17.5 million and let Miller play the final year of the contract that made him the highest-paid defenseman in NFL history at the time. We will know soon.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.
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