The long-term contract negotiations between Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller and GM John Elway continue with some difficulty. Much work needs to be done to bridge an estimated $20 million salary gap between the two sides, as reported by Nunzio Ingrassia of Fox Sports. Miller seeks to become the highest paid NFL defensive player at $22 million annually for five years. Elway has offered him $18 million per year.
In a pre-draft press conference on Thursday, Elway briefly discussed the negotiation process, “There has been one offer and then there has been a counter.” Miller’s agent Joby Branion says that his value ranges between $20 and $25 million. “You would like to be a little bit closer but that’s where you start,” Elway said. “We’ll continue to work on it and hopefully be able to get something done.”
Miller, an outside linebacker, was a no-show last Monday, the opening day of voluntary workouts at the the Broncos’ UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado. In contrast inside linebacker Brandon Marshall participated in the workout without a signed contract. Given the protracted contract negotiations, Miller will likely stay in Los Angeles where he is competing in ABC Television Network’s “Dancing with the Stars.” He posted in Instagram this photo of himself with two other celebrity contestants.
On the left is “America’s Next Top Model” winner Nyle DiMarco. With Miller in the center, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown is to the right. The show’s finale episode is scheduled for May 24.
Miller follows the pattern of recent Broncos franchise-tagged players – receiver Demaryius Thomas, kicker Matt Prater, offensive tackle Ryan Clady – who all held out of organized team activities (OTAs) until they signed contracts just before training camp started. “I can’t really talk to him about anything because I really didn’t talk to anybody myself,” Thomas said in a team press conference on Wednesday. “[Miller will] make his own decisions and I know when it’s time to go, he’ll be ready.”
Coming out of Texas A&M, Miller’s initial professional representation was with Athletes First’s agents Branion and Carmen Wallace when he was drafted by the Broncos with the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. But in Sept. 2014, Branion left Athletes First to head his own agency, Vanguard, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, according to SportsBusiness Daily. Branion leads the negotiations with the Broncos. Wallace heads marketing and promotional deals. On a national level Miller promotes Beats by Dre, Odd Sox, Chef’s Cut, Adidas, and Stetson Hats. He also has a Denver deal with local BMW dealers.
Elway’s offer to Miller is lower than the $19.062 million guaranteed next season to Miami Dolphins tackle Ndamukong Suh, the highest salaried NFL defensive player. And New York Giants lineman Olivier Vernon will receive the highest overall compensation for a defensive player in 2016 at $27 million, per OverTheCap.com.
Outside linebacker Von Miller (58) of the Denver Broncos holds the AFC championship trophy with cornerback Chris Harris (25) of the Denver Broncos (left) and inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) of the Denver Broncos (right) after the Broncos defeated the Patriots 20-18 in the AFC championship game, Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on January 24, 2015. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Miller has yet to sign his exclusive franchise-tag tender of $14.129 million. “It’s kind of a process. You see this every year happen, especially with the top free-agent guys,” explained cornerback Chris Harris Jr. who also spoke at the Wednesday team press conference. “They get tagged and they always hold out until July.” In fact July 15 is last day when NFL teams can negotiate with their franchise-tagged players before tendered salaries become locked in for the season. Broncos training camp is scheduled to begin July 31.
