Linebacker Von Miller and the Broncos came to an agreement on a long-term contract Friday that makes the Super Bowl 50 MVP the highest paid nonquarterback in National Football League history, Miller said on Twitter on Friday.
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Miller is now the highest-paid defender ever, and he has the most guaranteed money for a non-QB in league history.
Miller gets a $23 million signing bonus and $42 million guaranteed at signing, $61 million guaranteed after the second year and $70 million guaranteed after the third year of the deal, the sources said. Miller felt low-balled by the franchise, especially after they offered him less than $40 million in guaranteed money.
Recent massive free agent deals to players like defensive end Olivier Vernon (with an average salary of $17 million from the New York Giants) or defensive tackle Fletcher Cox ($17.1 million per year from the Philadelphia Eagles, with more than $63 million in guarantees) only drove up Miller’s price tag. The only player with more guaranteed money is Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who signed a six-year deal last month that includes $75 million fully guaranteed and another $12 million guaranteed against injury. Miller would have sat out the upcoming season, and rightfully so. The reigning Super Bowl Champions have finally secured Miller for the next six seasons. Miller was yet to comment on the offer. But Miller is worth it. Von had to get fair value for his body of work with the organization, and this deal seems fair.
Miller was in a contract year in 2015, and boy did he earn himself every penny of this deal.
“I’m also thankful for the way my teammates and our fans have supported me”, Miller said.
Time will tell if this new contract will be beneficial to the Broncos or not.
Despite his heroics, Miller – taken No 2 overall by the Broncos in 2011 – entered the fifth year of his old deal under a cloud of uncertainty. But it’s already a huge victory for the versatile outside linebacker who has 60 career sacks in five seasons.
The Broncos’ offer in June included $39.8 million guaranteed in the first two years – $38.5 million guaranteed money at signing with $1.3 million in workout bonuses. He was subsequently named the Super Bowl MVP.
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Miller’s new contract was set up by a fantastic playoff run in which he racked up five sacks in three games, along with two forced fumbles, an interception and two deflected passes. Miller completely dominated in the Super Bowl, setting the tone early on and applying the dagger in the big game by forcing two fumbles from the MVP Cam Newton.
