Storyline: Failing to come to terms by July 15 would result in Von Miller playing the 2016 season on a franchise tag. Otherwise he could decide to sit out the entire season.
In an unprecedented change of events a threatening message from superstar Von Miller kick-started the summer break for the Denver Broncos. As Most Valuable Player of the Super Bowl Miller pointed out that he’s likely to opt out the 2016 season.
The reason? He said that John Elway, the club’s general manager, must execute all of his contract demands before the end of next month. If Elway fails to meet such demands, NFL betting picks for the Denver Broncos could shift for the worse–considering the MVP has a big influence in the NFL.
Courtesy: sportingnews.com
Miller uttered the sentiments approximately 24 hours after appearing on the new Netflix show with Chelsea Handler, expressing that nothing will stop him from playing in the 2016 season.
The NFL MVP sent the ominous message by posting an Instagram photo and tagging the words: “I love my Teammates, Coaches, and My Fans.” But he does not see any chance of playing the NFL’s “2016 season under the Franchise tag.”
His message leaves Elway in a difficult situation. Failing to come to terms by July 15 about a prolonged contract extension would result in the MVP playing the 2016 season on a $14.129 million franchise tag. Otherwise he could decide to sit out the entire season. Furthermore, playing on the tender would mean that the Broncos could apply their exclusive franchise tag on Miller once more, next season, to bring about a similar predicament.
If Miller fails to make it this season, Elway will have to play him on a non-exclusive franchise tag in 2017. As such, other teams, hungry for the MVP, would pounce on him and offer lucrative deals that would be challenging for Denver to counter.
Courtesy: CBSSports.com
It’s very risky to make a superstar, like Miller, miss an entire NFL season. It would put his marketability and fame in danger. On the other hand, offering him a one-year contract seems hazardous as well because he might get an injury before the season ends.
Even though Miller played excellently in the Super Bowl, hostility began last week when the Denver Broncos disclosed some particulars of his rejected offer. The $114.5m, 6-year offer included guarantees of $38.5 million for the initial two seasons does not match elite players’ rates. The third season offer was $19.5m, which would only take effect after the close of the 2017 season. Credible sources suggest that he wants the Broncos to guarantee his third year fully.
And just days after the failed negotiations with the Broncos, Fletcher Cox, the Eagles defensive lineman, sealed a six-year extension running through 2022. Cox secured guarantees of $63 million. No defensive lineman has ever signed such a lucrative deal in the NFL. Cox will receive $55 million of his guarantee in nine months.
It seems Miller could be the eventual winner because of his leading role in the Super Bowl. Defeating the Carolina Panthers after thumping Tom Brady in the AFC championship will have a big impact on the negotiations.
The Broncos will need to beat Cox’s offer and, in so doing, establish a new contract benchmark.
