As the Broncos try to get a long-term deal done with linebacker Von Miller, they’ve increased the amount of the six-year, $114.5 million deal that will be guaranteed. Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports recently suggested that the number has been bumped to $61 million.
That’s an increase of only $3 million from the team’s prior position that $58 million would be guaranteed. Presumably, the $61 million would be fully guaranteed by March 2017, based on reports that the Broncos separately accelerated the trigger from the start of year three to the start of year two.
Miller at one point was seeking more than $70 million in total guarantees, with most of it becoming fully guaranteed by March 2017. The Eagles gave defensive lineman Fletcher Cox $63 million in injury guarantees last month, and the Colts gave quarterback Andrew Luck $87 million in injury guarantees at signing.
If the Broncos are at $61 million and Miller is at $70 million in guarantees, the gap likely will be bridged over the next five days. The Broncos wouldn’t have moved to $61 million a week before the deadline if they weren’t prepared to make even more moves before Friday.
Currently, the ball is in Miller’s court. At some point, the message from Miller to the team should go like this: “This isn’t a formal move, but if you were to offer $X million guaranteed with $X-minus-Y fully guaranteed at signing and the balance converting from injury-only guarantee to fully-guaranteed in March 2017, Von would accept it.” That would get Miller’s bottom-line position out in the open without putting him in position to be squeezed off of it.
Either way, the plane is in the process of being landed. At this point, it would be a surprise if they don’t get a deal done.