Few Super Bowl MVPs in recent memory have been able to parlay their success in a championship game into a new megacontract like Von Miller, who on Friday became the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback.
In the months since Miller, the Denver Broncos’ star outside linebacker, terrorized the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, his value — both on and off the field — has skyrocketed. And finally, hours before the deadline for Miller and the Broncos to reach agreement on a long-term deal this year, he landed the package he'd been seeking.
The contract will pay Miller $114.5 million over six years, an average salary of $19.083 million per season. (Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who cashed in during free agency last year, averages $19.063 million.) Miller is guaranteed to make $70 million, second only to the $87 million guaranteed Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck received in the contract he signed last month.
It's a major financial commitment from the Broncos to Miller, who might have cashed in a year earlier had he not been suspended six games in 2013 for violating the league's substance abuse policy and later tearing an anterior cruciate ligament after returning that season.
Still, he's absolutely earned his new windfall. If general manager John Elway needed any reminder of that, all he needed to do was watch the film of his team’s last two games, when Miller racked up five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception in leading the Broncos to wins over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game and then the Panthers in the Super Bowl.
Combine that stellar postseason with the accolades from Miller’s first five seasons — two first-team all-pro selections, four Pro Bowl nods, 60 regular-season sacks and 16 forced fumbles — and it's clear why the Broncos value him so much.
“Von’s earned this contract not only for what he’s done in the past but for what we believe he’ll do in the future,” Elway said in a statement.
It was a best-case ending for both team and player after months of contract negotiations that grew contentious over the past six weeks. Miller was unhappy that details of an offer he rejected in June were leaked to the media, and he responded by saying he would refuse to play under the franchise tag, a threat that represented his only real leverage.
By late last week, the Broncos had significantly increased the guaranteed money in their offer. After some final haggling over the structure and language of the contract, the sides reached an agreement that brought Miller closer to his long-stated goal: To remain a Bronco for life.
“This is something I really wanted — to stay with the Denver Broncos. I am so appreciative and grateful for this opportunity,” Miller said in a statement.
Miller was Elway’s first draft selection after Elway was hired to run the front office in 2011. Now Elway is counting on Miller not just to be the team’s best player, but to become the face of the franchise following the retirement of quarterback Peyton Manning.
It’s a role Miller appears ready to accept.
He’s spent the months since the Super Bowl jet-setting around the country on a private plane, appearing as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, modeling for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue and participating in plenty of commercial photo shoots, all while his market value escalated thanks to lucrative contracts issued elsewhere for less-accomplished defensive players like New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
But now Miller’s focus must shift back to football — and quickly.
The Broncos report for training camp July 27. A day later, Miller, who skipped the offseason program, will join his teammates on the field for the first time since the Super Bowl.
The Broncos know what sort of player they are getting back: an elite pass rusher to pair with DeMarcus Ware, but also one of the most unique and dynamic defensive players in the league. Miller gives defensive coordinator Wade Phillips so many options thanks to his ability to also drop into pass coverage (reference his interception of Tom Brady while covering Rob Gronkowski in the AFC Championship Game), play run defense and even shadow a mobile quarterback, like he did at times in the Super Bowl against NFL MVP Cam Newton.
“Going forward, we expect great things from Von not only on the field but with the responsibility he has as a leader on the team," Elway said.
"I’m proud of how we’ve handled this situation and give credit to everyone on our staff who helped get this done."
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Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones
