Re-Signing Brandon Marshall Key to Keeping Broncos' Super Bowl Defense Intact

This offseason, the dominant storylines regarding the Denver Broncos defense have revolved around two things: the departure of players like defensive end Malik Jackson and linebacker Danny Trevathan and the ongoing (and sometimes contentious) contract talks with outside linebacker Von Miller.

Well, similar negotiations have been taking place with inside linebacker Brandon Marshall. While Miller's eventual megadeal will no doubt dwarf Marshall's new pact, keeping the latter around was just as important to Denver's hopes for a return trip to the Super Bowl.

Mike Klis of 9News in Denver was among the first to report Tuesday that the 26-year-old Marshall and the Broncos had agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension:

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com shared details of the new pact:

For Marshall, who had balked at signing his $2.55 million restricted free-agent tender while the two sides negotiated, Tuesday marks the culmination of a true rags-to-riches story. Marshall has gone from a player the Jacksonville Jaguars cut three separate times (um, oops) to the NFL's seventh-highest-paid inside linebacker in terms of average annual salary, per Spotrac.

Per Klis, Marshall will still make that $2.55 million in 2016, with the new deal kicking in in 2017. Well, that and a cool $10 million signing bonus.

Nice work, if you can get it.

Broncos executive vice president of football operations and general manager John Elway released a statement hailing both Marshall and the signing (via Kevin Patra of NFL.com):

"

We're thrilled to agree to terms with Brandon on a four-year extension. Brandon's become an integral part of our defense over the last three years and has put in a lot of hard work into becoming such a key player on our team. We congratulate Brandon and look forward to him being a Bronco for many more years.

"

It isn't hard to figure out why Elway is so excited to keep Marshall in the fold. The fifth-year veteran has topped the 100-tackle mark in each of the past two seasons. His 102 stops last year ranked second on the team, trailing only the departed Trevathan.

Marshall hasn't just been productive. He's also been effective, at least according to Pro Football Focus. Per PFF, Marshall was the NFL's fifth-best inside linebacker in 2015, one spot ahead of his former running mate in Trevathan. He ranked fourth against the run.

The year before, playing on the weak side of Jack Del Rio's 4-3 front, Marshall ranked fourth at the position, three spots behind Miller.

Marshall is a rangy, versatile, athletic linebacker capable of playing both inside and outside. He's adept at stuffing the run and capable of holding his own in coverage. Marshall is also just now entering the prime of his career.

You don't let players like that walk out the door, especially after watching your other starter at inside linebacker bolt for the big bucks in Chicago.

In fact, Marshall may owe Trevathan a steak dinner or something to that effect. It was a lot easier for Elway to play hardball when he had two young, talented inside linebackers on his roster. Once Trevathan left, Marshall had that much more leverage.

Does the Marshall signing mean it's all gummy bears and rainbows at Mile High?

Well, it is for some folks in Colorado, but that's another story.

Elway still has a lot of work to do. Negotiations with Miller have been tense, and the whopper of a contract Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox signed Monday only figures to complicate matters.

Former Broncos great Shannon Sharpe admitted to Klis that both sides are looking out for their own best interests, which don't necessarily intersect. But he also expressed confidence a deal will get done:

"

You know what the going rate is. I understand where John is coming from. He’s not thinking like a player anymore. He’s thinking like an executive. That’s why he’s been so successful at this. He’s taken the emotion out of it of being a player. That’s why he was successful in the car dealerships. That’s why the Broncos have enjoyed so much success. For the most part, when he’s done something he’s been very successful at it. Because he’s able to take the emotion out of it. I understand he’s looking out for the best interest of the Denver Broncos. But he must understand Von Miller is a business, also. He’s looking out for the best interest of Von Miller.

"

Sharpe's right. The deal will get done. Because at day's end, Elway doesn't have a choice. He hardlined Jackson and Trevathan, and they left. The Broncos are not riding the arm of Mark Sanchez to Super Bowl LI in Houston. They will go as far as the defense takes them.

That defense could afford to lose a couple of pieces, but it can't afford to lose any more.

For now, though, Elway can take a breath. He was able to lock up one of the NFL's most underrated young defenders for a reasonable price and in a manner that preserves cap space for Miller's bonanza. He did his job as GM, and he did it well.

So enjoy the moment, John. Have that nice steak dinner, Brandon.

Because come Wednesday, it's back to work, both on the field and off.

Gary Davenport is an NFL analyst at Bleacher Report and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and Pro Football Writers of America. You can follow Gary on Twitter @IDPSharks.