Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller is going to be a very rich young man whenever he signs his long-term contract. We all know this. Yet a new report suggests Miller will be raking in top quarterback money, if he gets his way.
The sum Miller is seeking is $22 million per year, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report.
That’s Aaron Rodgers money. That’s Joe Flacco money. That’s Russell Wilson money.
It seems crazy to pay a single defender as much as the top quarterbacks in the NFL, yet nobody should be shocked if the pass rusher gets what he wants in the end.
Just look at what Olivier Vernon hauled in this year with the New York Giants. A guy who has racked up 29 sacks the past four years, he got $17 million per year after the Miami Dolphins removed the franchise tag.
Miller has sacked the quarterback 49 times in the same period of time. Not only that, but he’s consistently pressuring opposing quarterbacks into making mistakes. He also was unblockable in the playoffs and during Super Bowl 50.
Undeniably the premier pass rusher in the NFL, he should be worth at least $5 million more per year than Vernon.
That’s a point his camp is going to make to the Broncos, per Cole. And it’s a valid one, at that.
Cole notes that Miller could likely earn even more if he were to hit the open market. That’s not something John Elway and the Broncos will likely let happen, because as good as Miller has been thus far he’s actually still ascending as a star in this league.
Set to earn just over $14 million on the franchise tag, Miller could legitimately threaten a hold out if he doesn’t get what he wants from Denver. This is going to be an interesting situation to follow as the spring rolls into summer and the pressure to get a deal done continues to build.