Miller, Wilkerson, Tucker shed franchise tags with big deals

Last month, Cox was signed to a six-year, $102 million deal with $63 million guaranteed, which at the time made him the highest paid defensive player in National Football League history. The deal will also include $70 million guaranteed, a huge breakthrough considering Miller initially rejected a June offer, which he felt was a low-ball move.

Miller returned in dominating fashion, and quickly turned into one of the Broncos biggest leaders on defense.

The math is basic, which once again qualifies me to do it. Miller gets $23 million to sign, $2 million fully guaranteed in 2016 compensation, and $17 million in 2017 compensation, fully guaranteed at signing.

The protracted contract talks between Miller’s management team and the Denver Broncos were at such loggerheads that at one point, Miller’s agent, Joby Branion, requested permission from general manager John Elway to explore a trade, Mike Klis of Colorado’s 9NEWS reports.

Jets: New York pulled off a last-minute stunner, signing Pro Bowl defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson to a five-year contract extension. In the five seasons he’s spent in the league after being drafted by Denver with the second overall pick in 2011, he’s recorded 60 sacks and been a first-team All-Pro four times.

It was a best-case ending for both team and player after months of contract negotiations that grew contentious over the past six weeks. He had 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, 35 tackles in the regular season past year and had five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception in the playoffs, Fox Sports noted.

“Von’s earned this contract not only for what he’s done in the past but for what we believe he’ll do in the future”, Elway said in a statement. Miraculously, things cleared up between the reigning Super Bowl champs and their star defender, so Miller will be around for a long time to rack up sacks in Denver.

Cousins will earn $19.95 million this season while playing under the franchise tag for Washington after the sides failed to agree on a long-term contract. He has six interceptions and two forced fumbles in his 47-game career. Jeffery, who missed seven games last season with injuries, will be paid $14.6 million next season. His per-game average of 89.7 receiving yards was the seventh-best mark in the NFL. But if my window closes, I’m going to make sure I open up a thousand more opportunities for kids, to give them an opportunity to pick up where I left off.

Rams: Cornerback Trumain Johnson will play this season under his franchise tage value of $13.952 million after he and Los Angeles couldn’t agree to a long-term contract.