It sounds like the occasionally acrimonious Denver Broncos-Von Miller contract negotiations will end favorably, with a long-term deal in advance of today's deadline for signing franchised players. Assuming that happens, it will secure what's been the league's top pass rush over Miller's career.
The deal is apparently for $114.5 million over six years with $70 million in guarantees, the richest deal ever for a defensive player. If any players are worth that kind of money, Miller seems to be one of them.
He entered the league back in 2011. During the five seasons of his career, no team has more total sacks than Denver (227). He's been part of a pass rush that's had an impressive floor, too. In those five seasons, the Broncos are one of only two teams (along with Minnesota) to have at least 40 sacks in each of those years. They're one of only three teams (along with St. Louis and Buffalo) to have multiple seasons with 50 sacks in that span.
TEAM SACKS, 2011-2015 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Tot |
Denver | 41 | 52 | 41 | 41 | 52 | 227 |
St. Louis | 39 | 52 | 53 | 40 | 41 | 225 |
Minnesota | 50 | 44 | 41 | 41 | 43 | 219 |
Carolina | 31 | 39 | 60 | 40 | 44 | 214 |
New England | 40 | 37 | 48 | 40 | 49 | 214 |
Baltimore | 48 | 37 | 40 | 49 | 37 | 211 |
Green Bay | 29 | 47 | 44 | 41 | 43 | 204 |
Houston | 44 | 44 | 32 | 38 | 45 | 203 |
Philadelphia | 50 | 30 | 37 | 49 | 37 | 203 |
Cincinnati | 45 | 51 | 43 | 20 | 42 | 201 |
Arizona | 42 | 38 | 47 | 35 | 36 | 198 |
Buffalo | 29 | 36 | 57 | 54 | 21 | 197 |
Kansas City | 29 | 27 | 47 | 46 | 47 | 196 |
Miami | 41 | 42 | 42 | 39 | 31 | 195 |
Detroit | 41 | 34 | 33 | 42 | 42 | 192 |
NY Jets | 35 | 30 | 41 | 45 | 39 | 190 |
Pittsburgh | 35 | 37 | 34 | 33 | 48 | 187 |
Seattle | 33 | 36 | 44 | 37 | 37 | 187 |
NY Giants | 48 | 33 | 34 | 47 | 23 | 185 |
Washington | 41 | 32 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 184 |
San Francisco | 42 | 38 | 38 | 36 | 28 | 182 |
Tennessee | 28 | 39 | 36 | 39 | 39 | 181 |
Chicago | 33 | 41 | 31 | 39 | 35 | 179 |
Indianapolis | 29 | 32 | 42 | 41 | 35 | 179 |
New Orleans | 33 | 30 | 49 | 34 | 31 | 177 |
Cleveland | 32 | 38 | 40 | 31 | 29 | 170 |
Dallas | 42 | 34 | 34 | 28 | 31 | 169 |
Jacksonville | 31 | 20 | 31 | 45 | 36 | 163 |
San Diego | 32 | 38 | 35 | 26 | 32 | 163 |
Oakland | 39 | 25 | 38 | 22 | 38 | 162 |
Tampa Bay | 23 | 27 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 159 |
Atlanta | 33 | 29 | 32 | 22 | 19 | 135 |
--Andy Richardson