The Los Angeles Rams pulled off another blockbuster trade one day ahead of the deadline, acquiring Von Miller from the Denver Broncos.
For Los Angeles, this move fills one major area of need out on the edge. It also provides Miller, the Super Bowl 50 MVP, with an opportunity to contend for another title.
Meanwhile, Denver is now slated to start anew with a rebuild after moving on from its most-tenured player. Below, we look at four winners and losers from the Von Miller blockbuster that shook the NFL world on Monday.
Related: Blockbuster NFL trades we’d love to see before Tuesday afternoon
Winner: Von Miller now has a chance to compete
The No. 2 overall pick of the Broncos back in 2011, Miller had remained extremely loyal to the organization. That included dealing with injuries and four consecutive losing seasons. At 32 years old and set to hit free agency in March, this is an opportunity for Miller to compete for that second career Super Bowl title.
It couldn’t have come at a better time for the eight-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer. He’ll be playing next to multi-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner Aaron Donald. This should give Miller a chance to put up some big numbers and hit that one final big time pay day once free agency opens during the spring.
Related: Find out where the Rams rank following the Von Miller trade
Loser: NFC West quarterbacks
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will likely return from injury following the team’s Week 9 bye. The reward? Facing NFC West foes moving forward on the season that includes Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Nick Bosa and Chandler Jones. How fun.
In Northern California, the 49ers are still trotting out Jimmy Garoppolo over rookie No. 3 pick Trey Lance. One now has to wonder whether this decision will remain firm now that Miller and his new Rams team is slated to take on San Francisco in Week 10. Do the 49ers really want to throw Lance into the fire? I doubt it.
Considered a legit Super Bowl contender, the Arizona Cardinals are likely going to be without star quarterback Kyler Murray over the next week or two due to a sprained ankle. There’s a chance that Arizona’s Week 14 outing against the Rams could be for the division. Good luck going up against Miller and Donald.
Related: Everything you need to know about the 2021 NFL season
Winner: Broncos to finally rebuild after Von Miller trade
This move gives new Denver general manager George Paton an ability to start anew with a rebuild and build this team in his model. Acquiring a second and third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft for a player who was likely set to hit leave in March was a pretty big coup.
We’re now intrigued to see what Denver does between now and the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. The likes of Teddy Bridgewater, Melvin Gordon and Kyle Fuller could all be moved. It makes sense. Acquire as much draft capital as possible and give Paton the keys to the kingdom.
Loser: Denver Broncos fans
As much as the Von Miller trade made sense for Denver as an organization, it can’t sit well with fans in the Mile High City. The Broncos sit at 4-4 and have already pretty much given up on the season. They are headed for a complete rebuild. Meanwhile, fans of the team really never got to see Miller and Bradley Chubb dominate together on the field.
More than that, it’s hard for fans to get over a franchise cornerstone and all-time great player being traded. In terms of what Miller meant to the city of Denver, it’s similar to what Tom Brady did in New England prior to moving on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the 2020 NFL season. That’s not hyperbole. We’re talking about an all-time great and Super Bowl MVP.