Von Miller accepts record-breaking deal with Broncos

In free agency, a defensive lineman with less than half of Miller’s production, Olivier Vernon, got a contract worth $17 million a year from the New York Giants.

Kickers don’t often generate a lot of headlines in July, but Justin Tucker’s contract has become one of the top storylines in the National Football League of late.

I’m looking forward to seeing Von terrorize quarterbacks, make game-changing plays, and continue his Hall Of Fame career in orange and blue.

Miller is haggling to get more guarantees in his deal, and most of the approximately $39.8 million that Denver did guarantee in its most recent offer was spread over two years. That salary was well below market value for a player of Miller’s caliber, after he racked up 60 sacks in his first five seasons.

They can’t do that without a fully committed Miller, and the Broncos committing so much to him should deliver a version of Von that is ready to tear it up in 2016.

As recently as a month ago the deal appeared dead in the water. It is also the richest contract at any position other than quarterback. He had a total of 11 sacks and 4 forced fumbles during the season but really turned it on for the postseason. In 2015, Cox played the fourth-most snaps among defensive linemen, and his 5.5 sacks when lined up as a defensive tackle were the fourth most in the league. In 2013, the NFL suspended Miller six games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. However, the guaranteed money was not remotely close.

Fletcher Cox quickly established a new floor for Miller with his $63.3 million in guarantees, and Luck’s deal raised the ceiling for Miller, the star of Super Bowl 50. Miller can get past linemen with speed alone - and he did many times this past season - but it’s his subtle jukes and double moves that more frequently allow him to get around blockers. He is the only quarterback to start in the Super Bowl twice in his first three seasons.

Without acknowledging it publicly, Elway’s strong push echoed what most of the team’s fans were thinking: Denver had no chance of repeating as Super Bowl champion without Miller.

Phillips doesn’t need this week in and week out, but Miller’s athleticism was put to the test in the Super Bowl, when he was asked to “spy” Cam Newton on a few key third-down plays.

Note: All contract figures taken from Roster Management System.