Broncos linebacker Von Miller may have some explaining to do to cornerback Aqib Talib.
Talib recently claimed that Miller said he’ll attend the offseason program. Miller reportedly is telling everyone else he won’t be there.
Mike Klis of 9News.com reports that Miller has told coach Gary Kubiak that Miller won’t be present for the start of the offseason program due to his absence of a contract.
It’s not surprising; as an unsigned franchise player, Miller isn’t under contract and thus not employed by any NFL team. His only leverage is to withhold services, and he apparently plans to.
That still may not be the smartest (or safest) approach. If Miller signs a letter of protection and participates in the offseason program, he’ll get the full $14.129 million franchise tender if he suffers a season-ending injury. If he works out on his own and tears an ACL, he’s SOL.
Last year, Broncos G.M. John Elway publicly expressed frustration about the decision of franchise-tagged receiver Demaryius Thomas to stay away from offseason workouts while unsigned. The practice of players staying away likely will continue, however, until a player does indeed pop an Achilles and in turn loses the full amount of what he would have made if the same injury had happened on team property.
For Miller, the primary risk of injury currently comes from his ongoing participation in ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. For the player and the team, July 15 is the deadline for working out a multi-year deal.