The Denver Broncos appear to be a franchise with a declining public image and general manager John Elway’s player negotiations aren’t helping matters. Since the Von Miller-led defensive assault upended Cam Newton and the Panthers in Super Bowl 50, it ‘s been one big Debbie Downer.
The recent headlines about Super Bowl MVP linebacker Von Miller cropping Elway out of a White House group picture demonstrates the Mile High champs public persona has sunk below sea level in just a few short months.
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Denver’s general manager once had a reputation of being a savvy executive. However, lobbying the 49ers to pay part of Colin Kaepernick’s salary while he wore orange seemed odd, unreasonable, even cheap. That same attitude appears to be at work in the Miller negotiations.
The low-balling Elway has pushed things to the point where the team’s Super Bowl MVP publicly disrespected its highest ranking front office member. And that drama hit trending status on social media. Apparently, the Broncos can’t manage to keep their dirty laundry in-house.
Teams trying to retain and attract high-quality veterans, arguably, can be grouped into three basic categories:
1) Super Bowl contenders that provide players with an opportunity to get a ring. The Patriots, Steelers, Seahawks, Panthers, Cardinals fall into this bunch.
2) Winning Franchises willing to pay fair market value to accomplished players. Such teams may include the Bengals, Vikings, and upwardly trending Raiders (although they haven’t actually posted a winning season recently).
3) Cellar Dwellers that must overpay athletes to get them under contract. Jacksonville stood out in this regard this off-season.
The Broncos fit into group one while they had future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. However, they now seem like the odd man out.
The Broncos have become the downward trending defending Super Bowl champs.
At least that seems to be the perception.
Metaphorically speaking, roster-building in Denver has become like slowing down to gawk at a roadside car crash. Lights are flashing and a tow trucks hoists a damaged vehicle off the curb. It’s a sad sight.
And the Miller issues can’t help but infuse NFL players with paranoia about the post-season exodus of talents such as Malik Jackson and Brock Osweiler.
The Osweiler move took many by surprise. What prompted the heir apparent quarterback sign with Houston rather than stay with a perennial winner? Was that another instance of Elway trying to short a player? Whatever happened there, at least the Broncos kept that in-stable. Onlookers must wonder.
But when Ndamukong Suh earns a six-year, $114 million deal after basically giving the Lions a black eye for dirty play, it seems only fitting that the pristine, consummate professional Miller should be shown the love. Offering the organization’s top player similar money to Suh with a lesser guarantee comes across as a slap in the face.
In contrast, Raiders G.M. Reggie McKenzie continues to bolster his reputation as a fair deal-maker and attract quality athletes. He re-signed Donald Penn on a relatively low veteran contract and the left tackle seems excited to be in Oakland. Likewise, Pro Bowl safety Reggie Nelson didn’t break the bank as a free agent signing either.
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It seems almost ironic that the champion’s AFC West rival has a huge buzz in the pro football world despite not posting a winning record since 2002.
The Miller and Kaepernick debacles will undoubtedly sully player attitudes throughout the league. Elway’s cheapskate tactics may save some short-term hay, but he’ll likely be fielding mules instead of stallions before long if he doesn’t start ponying up.