The only player with more guaranteed money is Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, the league’s highest-paid player. “I am so appreciative and grateful for this opportunity”, Miller said in a statement.
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In his official comments on the signing, Miller said thanks to Elway, as well as team owner Pat Bowlen, team president Joe Ellis and Coach Gary Kubiak.
“I’m happy that both sides were able to broker a deal that works for both sides”, Branion told The Associated Press.
Miller tweeted about the deal with a pic of himself in his Broncos jersey with the caption “FOR LIFE”.
The deal makes Miller the highest-paid defensive player in National Football League history.
The deal surpasses Philadelphia Eagles lineman Fletcher Cox six-year deal, worth $102,600,000 contract with $63,299,000 guaranteed. That title now belongs to Miller and for the Broncos they needed him back on defense as they are going through a transitional phase at the quarterback position. The outside linebacker has agreed to a six-year, $114,500,000 contract with the Denver Broncos. The reigning Super Bowl Champions have finally secured Miller for the next six seasons.
“I’m proud of how we’ve handled this situation and give credit to everyone on our staff who helped get this done”, Elway said. But the two sides tried, with some starts and stops, to negotiate a long-term deal after the scouting combine in February. Miller was unhappy that details of an offer he rejected in June were leaked to the media, and he responded by saying he would refuse to play under the franchise tag, a threat that represented his only real leverage.
It’s unlikely the Broncos will ever pay Miller $114.5 million, which means the first contract the Broncos put on the table was essentially a two-year deal that would pay him $19.9 million per year.
Relations reached a nadir last month after negotiations became public and the Broncos instructed the former Texas A&M star to sign a new deal before a July 15 deadline.
Vernon has Miller in Year 1 cash flow, though – he is making $29 million in 2015, while Miller will reportedly get $25 million in his first year.
Jeffery, who missed seven games last season because of injuries, will be paid $14.6 million this season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed by Baltimore, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the pact is worth $16.8 million – with $10.8 million in guaranteed salary. Amerson originally signed a four-year, $3.85 million deal coming out of North Carolina State. As recently as two days ago, it seemed as though Miller would consider sitting out the season if things were not resolved.
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Miller leveraged sitting out a season - it was his only play to get more money from Denver - as well as anyone in league history, but he was ultimately fighting a battle he couldn’t win.
