Denver Broncos' Super Bowl Window Closed? Not with Von Miller

The Denver Broncos and linebacker Von Miller are at an impasse in contract negotiations. Things are stagnant right now as we head toward the end of June, and a deadline is fast approaching in this critical deliberation. 

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Broncos proposed 6-yr, $114.5M deal to Von Miller that includes $39.8M gtd in first 2 years, per sources close to Denver. No deal in sight.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2016"

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak knows the team has to block out distractions as they prepare for the season during mandatory minicamp.

“I think if you’re in this league and you’re in this business, you’re going to deal with distractions," Kubiak said. "That’s part of it. I think the key is that you deal with them openly and honestly with your players, but you keep working. It doesn’t keep you from working.”

Kubiak was unabashed in his opinion on Miller’s situation.

“We’d love to have Von here right now," he said. "All those things are going on, but it has nothing to do with—when the whistle blows, we go to work.”

The head coach emphasized, “You deal with it and you have confidence in what you’re going through. You keep pushing forward and don’t let things drag you down. Just keep going with it.”

Miller is the key for the Broncos' Super Bowl chances in 2016. In this article we'll go through the latest news, reports and rumors involving the team’s biggest star.

Reasons to Panic?

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Things seem dire between the Broncos and Miller, but with a few weeks remaining until the deadline to sign him to a new long-term deal, is there real reason to panic?

Per Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson, things are getting ugly between Miller and the Broncos. According to the report, the guaranteed money is where the impasse is, and the situation has escalated so quickly that Miller could sit out the 2016 season entirely.

Mike Klis, from 9News in Denver, reports the talks between the two sides have broken off as the team needs to go back to the drawing board after Miller rejected their offer.

The most recent reports indicate the talks between the two sides have become stagnant. ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports the two sides still have a sizable gap regarding guaranteed money. Fowler said Miller has supposedly explored holding out until March, at which point he would become a nonexclusive franchise player. If that happened, another team could offer a first- and third-round pick for Miller next offseason.

June is the month of posturing in the NFL. Players have little leverage in these situations, and Miller is using all the leverage he has to emphasize his point. He has yet to sign his one-year franchise tender, and Miller posted on Instagram insisting there’s “no chance” he plays in 2016 under the tag. 

Not signing his tender and staying away from the facility—and threatening to hold out without a new deal—are the only things Miller can do. These actions don’t seem unusual; they just seem like par for the course that is franchise-tag negotiations.

So is this just normal posturing (from both sides), or are things getting contentious between Miller and Broncos general manager John Elway?

Kubiak revealed how the team best deals with situations like this.

“Start every day by talking about the things that are going on and how we’re handling things. We don’t run away from anything. We talk about everything we’re doing and what we’ve got to get done.” Kubiak summarized, “Football is football. Once it’s time to start that meeting and get out here and play, everything else goes to the side.”

A History with Franchise Players

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Broncos have had to deal with the franchise tag before. However, they’ve not had an exclusively franchise-tagged player like Miller in their past dealings with guys like left tackle Ryan Clady or wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.

With Clady in 2013, the team was able to get his deal done the day before the deadline. At the time, his five-year, $52.5 million deal was a premium price. He only played in 18 games over the next three years with the Broncos, but the team was not hesitant at the time to sign him to such a large contract.

Last year with Thomas, the Broncos didn’t get his contract done until about 30 minutes before the deadline. Their 11th-hour deal with Thomas was for five years, $70 million with $43.5 million guaranteed. Again, the Broncos took their time, but they did not shy away from the premium price. In terms of annual average salary, Thomas is tied for the fourth-highest total at $14 million per year.

Let history be your guide in this current situation with Miller. He’s one of the biggest superstars in the NFL, and as Super Bowl 50 MVP, he was a big reason why the Broncos are champions. The team has not been reluctant to sign players to premium contracts in the past, and it shouldn’t be any different (although much larger) with Miller.

Has Miller Peaked?

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

As remarkable as it may seem, Miller has yet to play up to his full potential as a pro. Yes, he’s averaged 12 sacks per year and been named All-Pro in four of the five years he’s been the NFL, but Miller could have even more to offer in the future.

Year	Tackles	Sacks	FF	FR
2015	35	11	4	3
2014	60	14	1	1
2013	34	5	3	1

Miller has a great output over the last three years, but even his 2014 numbers could be improved on. With pass-rushers like DeMarcus Ware, Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett rotating in on the opposite side, we may see Miller get close to that elusive 20-sack total he's more than capable of.

Not only can Miller be better, but the Broncos defense can improve in 2016.

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has a certain goal in mind for this season.

“Kind of the same thing we thought last year," Phillips said. "Going into OTAs, we felt like we were going to be pretty good and then we start talking about being the best. Now we’re still talking about that.”

Phillips bluntly opined, “That’s our goal to be the best. Certainly last year’s team would be hard to repeat. The only thing better than winning the Super Bowl is winning another one. That’s what we’re looking forward to.”

If Miller hasn’t peaked, then he can be better. That’s a frightening thought if you’re an opponent tasked with facing the Broncos in the 2016 season. The league’s best defense may be even better this season, and that alone should be enough to keep the Broncos in a Super Bowl window.

Summary

Things don’t look good right now, but that can change quickly in the NFL. Deals get done at deadlines, so we may not see the Broncos sign Miller to a long-term deal until we get much closer to the middle of July.

In fact, it may take right up until the deadline to work out a new deal. Broncos fans may be panicked right now, but this type of transaction is normal in the NFL.

Kubiak is optimistic something will get done.

“I’m still optimistic. I think both sides are working really hard," Kubiak said. "Negotiations are part of business. Obviously John [Elway] does a great job with that stuff, and I know that he’ll continue to do that. We’ve just got to stay focused on what we’re doing right now.”

Miller may have tipped his hand of how he feels in a recent appearance on Netflix with Chelsea Handler. “We still have a month. I just can’t see myself with another team,” Miller told Handler.

Things look dire right now, but it’s folly to say that the relationship between Miller and Elway is fractured beyond repair. Money can fix a lot of things, and it’s the elixir needed for this situation.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.