GM George Paton of Denver Broncos has taken the first steps of his tenure. After freeing up nearly $ 25 million in cap space by releasing cornerback AJ Bouye and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, the Broncos now have about $ 48.4 million in cap space approaching the era of free agencies.
The cap space created puts the Broncos in the top 5 in available cap space in the league, but that space can quickly disappear if options, tenders and the franchise tag are (possibly) placed on different players.
One of the biggest questions Paton will face in 2021 is what to do with star pass rusher Von Miller. In the aftermath of missing out on the 2020 season after a dislocated peroneal tendon in an ankle that required surgery, the upcoming 32-year-old in Denver is murky.
The reason for Miller’s uncertain future in Denver is not due to his level of play, as he is still seen as one of the best pass rushers in the entire NFL, despite getting over the 30-year mound. It’s his 2021 inflated cap that clouds the water.
Currently slated to count $ 22,225 million against the cap, the Broncos can save $ 18 million with just $ 4,225 million in dead money by not exercising Miller’s option for this season. With Denver making a decision about the future of Justin Simmons, defender Shelby Harris, and the obvious cornerback holes, the Broncos are expected to spend a fair chunk of their available cap on a veteran back quarterback. Every dollar counts.
It would hurt to lose Miller, but it may be the easiest way for Paton to create cap space now that Bouye and Casey have been released. Will the Broncos make that tough decision?
In an appearance on The Pat McAfee ShowNFL insider Ian Rapoport shed some light on Miller’s future prospects in Denver.
If he’s free, he’ll have a really good market, “Rapoport told host Pat McAfee.” I will say at this point that I doubt he is free as they have the team option imminent. I don’t think they’ll take the option because I think there’s a good chance – I think there’s a real chance the two sides will get together and make it sense. He wants to finish his career in Denver. He is great. Missed last year with an injury. They have cap space. It’s hard to get better by running one of your best players, so I imagine there’s some kind of compromise to smooth out his cap hit and make it make sense.
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After how Miller reacted to even the idea of a contract restructuring on 104.3’s The fans Stokely and Zach show earlier this past season, much of Broncos Country was rightly concerned about Miller’s future. It would be hard to release Miller for nothing, only to see him play for a championship contender and play for another team at an elite level, but sometimes that’s the reality of the NFL.
Similar to when DeMarcus Ware left Dallas for the Broncos, not all legends play their entire careers for the team that drafted them in today’s NFL. The Broncos have the limit room to exercise and survive Miller’s option this year, but as Rapoport said, Paton is more likely to work out an extension with Miller’s camp that will add years to his deal, increase the guaranteed money on later years, and reduce a part of Von’s 2021 cap hit on to future years where the cap should rise again.
Extending the still incredibly valuable Miller for years to come and increasing spending flexibility by lowering Von’s 2021 limit is smart accounting and smart business. Of course, there is always some concern about prolonging an aging pass rusher getting rid of a serious injury.
The Broncos, as McAfee would later point out in the interview, could certainly use the cutbacks on the limit to move from Miller to be more aggressive in the quarterback market this year. However, outside of Dak Prescott that may become available, there really isn’t a quarterback worth even considering breaking the bank for the open market.
If the Broncos are able to work out an extension and restructuring for Miller, Denver will add financial flexibility in an off-season where not many teams can spend money. This perk could give Denver a chance to cash in on some short-term bargains, and if not, Paton can just use the limit savings created by a restructuring to roll over into 2022.
Getting Bouye and Casey’s release out of the way now makes decisions much more difficult for Paton. Can the Broncos sign a long-term deal with Simmons before having to use the franchise tag?
Will Denver exercise Miller’s contract option in 2021 or can the two sides reach an agreement to extend Von and make his salary more team-friendly during a limited season? For those hoping that Miller becomes one of the rare elite players to spend his entire career with one team, Rapoport’s latest information arouses new optimism, despite von’s ongoing legal question marks.
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