ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – With a decision on Von Miller’s future, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton said on Thursday that the team wants the linebacker back for 2021, but is awaiting more information on potential legal issues Miller may have and is not ruling out a discussion about a pay cut for him to return.
“We’re still working through it with Von, his agent, and with regard to the legal process, let’s just go through the legal process,” said Paton. “But it’s clearly a serious situation, but we want to let it play out before commenting on that.”
Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowl roster and Super Bowl 50 MVP, has an option clause in his contract that if the Broncos pick it up, it would guarantee $ 7 million of Miller’s $ 17.5 million base salary and the last year of a six-year, $ 114.5 million deal he signed in 2016.
The Broncos, as well as Miller, are still awaiting a decision from the district attorney at the 18th district judicial district in suburban Denver to determine whether Miller will be charged after an investigation by the Parker, Colorado police department. Neither the police nor the prosecutor’s office have released details of the specific charges that Miller could face.
Miller did not respond to requests for comment. If charges are brought, Miller could also face the prospect of competitive discipline.
Asked if Miller’s returns could also depend on a pay cut, Paton said:
“We want to get Von back; we’re still working through that, I don’t want to get into everything, but we want to get him back. Obviously, the legal process he’s going through is a serious situation, obviously, and I don’t know all of them. details, but we respect what’s going on. We want Von back. “
Miller missed the entire 2020 season after an ankle injury just days before the season opener. Coach Vic Fangio said at the time that he expected Miller to have “a great year.”
Miller’s eight sacks in 2019 were his lowest total since 2013, when he finished with five sacks after a six-game suspension for violating the league’s drug abuse policy and then a torn ACL in December of that year.
Miller leads all active players who were on NFL rosters last season with 106 sacks.
Miller is the oldest Broncos player and was John Elway’s first choice as the team’s top footballer. Elway stepped down from the role of general manager earlier this year before Paton was hired in January.
Other topics that Paton and Fangio raised on Thursday:
[I] took a deep dive with Drew … very talented, was inconsistent at times, has a lot to work on, but I spoke to Drew … he really wants to be great, “said Paton.” We are always he will bring in competition in every position, including quarterback, but I love the job Drew is on … He has all the qualities you look for in a quarterback. “
“We’re going to be aggressive, we’ll be in every deal, doesn’t mean we’re going to make that deal, but we’re going to explore everything, whether it’s a quarterback or a defensive lineman. Anything to help our soccer team, we’re going to do it.” pursue. “
Paton also said he would not publicly discuss a quarterback on the roster of another team, such as Deshaun Watson, and that the Broncos would consider using the No. 9 draft pick on a quarterback “if it is the best player. is on the board, we’re going to take him. “
-
On re-signing security Justin Simmons, who played on the franchise player tag last season and is poised to become an unlimited free agent, Paton said, “Justin is one of our most important guys, and our goal since I “He came here to sign him. We had good talks with his agent. I don’t know if we’ll make a deal or not, but that’s our goal. He’s the type of guy we’d like to expand.”
-
The return of the right tackle Ja’Wuan James, who opted out last season over concerns about COVID-19.
Both Paton and Fangio said they had spoken to James and that James would return to Denver to train in the next few weeks.
Paton said the Broncos would offer three of their most prominent restricted free agents: Phillip Lindsay, wide receiver Tim Patrick and linebacker Alexander Johnson.
Paton added that he was already trying to re-sign Shelby Harris, who will be an unrestricted free agent, and that he has spoken with Safety representatives Kareem Jackson. Jackson has an option year in his 2021 contract that the Broncos must decide to exercise by the start of the new league year.
‘We have to deal with a number of things; we’d like Kareem back, ”Paton said. “… we’ll see if we can do that.”