Denver Broncos: Does Von Miller deserve to be highest-paid defensive player?
Denver Broncos linebacker, Von Miller, will seek to become the NFL’s highest paid defensive player when he becomes a free agent in the off season. Is he worth it?
Von Miller certainly thinks so.
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In what has been an overall solid season for the Denver Broncos star linebacker, (and his number one ranked defense in the NFL) Miller and his teammates still have one more task to complete before his contract with the Broncos expires, and his future with the team will start to come into question – and that task is to win the Super Bowl.
Miller will reportedly seek to become the highest paid defensive player in the NFL, which should be enough money to buy tons of cars, yachts, houses, anything really.
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The market has been set for Miller thanks to defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who signed a record deal of $114 million, with $60 million guaranteed with the Miami Dolphins last March.
It would be hard to imagine the Broncos letting Miller hit the free agent market considering how valuable he is and arguably the top member of their elite defensive unit. In the AFC Championship game alone, Miller had 2.5 sacks, and an interception from Tom Brady. Quite a big stage and perfect time to show just how worthy you are of an immense contract leading up to the Super Bowl. However, early indication is that the Broncos are going to Franchise Tag Miller, extending his tenure with the team for one more season.
Miller’s potential record-breaking contract could be upwards of $20 million per year and some around the league have questioned Miller’s work ethic and at times, his disappearing act when is on the field.
When Miller is playing there is no question he is one of the top linebackers in the NFL. Yet, he has dealt with suspensions and some injuries that have kept him off the field so far in his five year career. In August of 2013, Miller was suspended for the first four games by the NFL for testing positive to a banned substance.
Shortly after, reports came out about Miller, and a drug collector, who together tried to tamper with his urine sample and switch Miller’s with someone else’s, yet each were unsuccessful, and Miller’s suspension increased two extra games for the bold stunt.
In that same season, Miller suffered a torn ACL on December 22nd 2013, in a game against the Houston Texans which ended his 2013 campaign.
If Miller has an outstanding Super Bowl and basically recreates his AFC Championship game from just a week ago, all of the self-imposed talk of him wanting to be the highest paid defensive player will increase by the day with support of his claim actually happening.
If Miller has a mediocre game, or at worst, has no effect whatsoever on the game, then he will still have the Franchise Tag placed on him for next season and continue to increase his value for free agency in 2017. Plenty of teams will be knocking at the door for Miller’s services if and when he does become a free agent.
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Is he worth a contract that could possibly guarantee him over $65-70 million dollars, or $20 million per year? Possibly, and Miller can certainly focus the attention he has put on himself by dominating in the Super Bowl and show up to the biggest game of his life (missed Super Bowl XLVIII due to torn ACL) on football’s biggest stage.
Either way, Miller will be getting paid in the offseason. Just how much and what team he will be playing for if he hits free agency, will be the question.