ENGLEWOOD, Colorado. – With a decision on Von Miller’s future approaching, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton said Thursday that the team wants the backbacker for 2021, but expects to hear more about the potential legal issues Miller has. -could have and did not rule out a discussion about a reduction in salary for him return.
“We are still working with Von, his agent, and in terms of the legal process, we will just let the legal process go,” Paton said. “But obviously it’s a serious situation, but we want to let it go before we comment on that.”
Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowl and Super Bowl 50 MVP selection, has an option clause in his contract that if Broncos lifts him, he would guarantee $ 7 million of Miller’s base salary of $ 17.5 million. dollars and would commit in the last six years, A transaction of $ 114.5 million that he signed in 2016.
Broncos, as well as Miller, are still awaiting a decision from the Denver District 18 Judicial District Attorney to determine whether Miller will be charged following an investigation by the Parker, Colorado Police Department. Neither the police nor the prosecutor’s office have released details of specific allegations Miller could face.
Miller did not respond to requests for comment. If charges are brought, Miller could also face the prospect of league discipline.
Asked if Miller’s return could also depend on a pay cut, Paton said:
“We want to bring Von back; we’re still working, I don’t want to go into everything, but we want to bring him back. Obviously, the legal process, what’s going on, is a serious situation, obviously, and I don’t know all the details, but We respect what happens. We want Von back. “
Miller missed the entire 2020 season after an ankle injury just days before the season opened. At the time, coach Vic Fangio said he expected Miller to have “a hell of a year.”
Miller’s eight sacks in 2019 were the lowest total since 2013, when he finished with five sacks after serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and then suffering a broken ACL in December of that year.
Miller leads all active players who were in the NFL roster last season with 106 sacks.
Miller is the longest-serving player in the Broncos and was John Elway’s first selection as the team’s top football executive. Elway resigned as general manager earlier this year before Paton was hired in January.
Other topics that Paton and Fangio addressed on Thursday:
“[I] he did a deep dive with Drew … very talented, sometimes inconsistent, he has a lot to work on, but I talked to Drew … he really wants to be great, “Paton said.” We’re always going to compete in every position, also defender, but I like the piece that Drew started … He has all the traits you’re looking for in a defender. “
“We will be aggressive, we will be in every deal, it does not mean that we will make that deal, but we will analyze everything, whether it is a defender or a defensive lineman, anything to help our football team, we will follow it.”
Paton also said that he will not publicly discuss any defender on the list of another team, such as Deshaun Watson, and that the Broncos would consider using choice no. 9 in draft on a defender “if he is the best player on the board, we will take him. “
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Regarding safety re-signing, Justin Simmons, who played on the franchise player’s label last season and is ready to be an unrestricted free agent, Paton said: “Justin is one of our main guys, and our goal since I got here was to sign him to a long term business. I had a good conversation with his agent. I don’t know if we will close a deal or not, but that is our goal. He’s the kind of guy we want to extend. “
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The return of striker Ja’Wuan James, who gave up his concerns with COVID-19 last season.
Both Paton and Fangio said they talked to James and that James would return to the Denver area in the coming weeks to train.
Paton said Broncos will offer three of the most important restricted free agents – back Phillip Lindsay, wide receiver Tim Patrick and defender Alexander Johnson.
Paton added that he has already tried to re-sign the defense of Shelby Harris, who will be an unrestricted free agent, and that he has spoken to security representatives Kareem Jackson. Jackson has a one-year option in his 2021 contract that the Broncos must exercise until the start of the new league year.
“We have to deal with a few things; we want Kareem to come back,” Paton said. “… We’ll see if we can do that.”