The Super Bowl 50 MVP is returning to Denver this fall. After many months of negotiations, which led to tension and frustration between both parties, the Broncos and linebacker Von Miller have finally come to an agreement. The deal came just in time, as the deadline for a franchise-tagged player to sign a long term contract was 4 pm EST on Friday. The terms of Miller’s new contract will get him $114.5 million over 6 years, with $70 million in guaranteed money.
Just last month, Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox signed a 6-year, $103 million contract extension, which made him the highest paid NFL player outside of the quarterback position. However, Miller’s new deal now surpasses Cox’s and makes him the highest paid non-QB player in the league. His contract is also said to be the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history.
Miller and the Broncos had been working on a long-term deal since the beginning of the offseason. For most of the five months, the two parties were extremely far apart in their negotiations and things had gotten ugly. Miller said he refused to play under the team’s franchise tag and threatened to sit out the 2016 season. As the deadline loomed near, Broncos general manager, John Elway, was determined to keep their number one player and finally budged in Miller’s direction by increasing the amount of guaranteed money. With his new contract, Miller will be guaranteed $42 million at signing (in addition to a $23 million signing bonus), $61 million after the second year, and $70 million after the third year of the deal.
Congrats to Von Miller on the historic deal and we’re looking forward to seeing him do work this season!
