Seventy-four days after winning their third Super Bowl championship, the unanswered questions at quarterback and Von Miller’s contract exert external force on the Broncos. While fans roil with anxiety, general manager John Elway sees possibilities, remains comfortable keeping options at the NFL’s most important position and with the initial talks with Miller’s camp.
Elway on Thursday characterized trade talks for San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick as “dormant” — but not dead. He said Brian Hoyer’s visit Thursday went well and is a “possibility,” but the free-agent quarterback left Broncos headquarters without a contract to meet with at least one more team. Teams interested in Hoyer include the Jets, Steelers and Bears.
Patience, not panic, remains the operative word at Broncos headquarters.
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“First of all we feel good with Mark (Sanchez). But you also know that there’s going to be a lot of different things that happen. So to rush into a decision, we really didn’t want to have to do that,” Elway said of exercising restraint after Peyton Manning’s retirement and Brock Osweiler’s departure in free agency. “Because if you rush into one and all of a sudden there’s another apple over there you kind of like. I just didn’t want to get us going down one road where we didn’t have the option to look at all the others. And again, what’s helped is having Mark, a guy that we feel has the experience in the league and can play in this league.”
Miller, an all-pro outside linebacker and the Super Bowl 50 MVP, reiterated last week that he wants to be a Bronco for the rest of his career. He is seeking a contract in excess of $20 million per season, which would make him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player, eclipsing Miami’s Ndamukong Suh. The Broncos have made one offer, Elway said. It probably is about around $18 million per season. Miller’s agent countered, and that’s where it stands. Elway said he expects negotiations to pick up as draft preparation wanes.
The sides have until July 15 to reach a deal or Miller would play the 2016 season on his exclusive one-year franchise tag. Miller is not attending the Broncos’ voluntary workouts as he angles for a long-term contract, his time occupied by appearing on the ABC program “Dancing With The Stars.”
Dialogue between the Broncos and Miller’s camp appears to have tempered Elway’s response about Miller’s absence at Dove Valley a year after Elway questioned the logic of franchise-tag wide receiver Demaryius Thomas sitting out. At that time, Thomas’ camp and the Broncos weren’t negotiating, leaving Thomas to ultimately accept a long-term contract just hours before the July 15 deadline.
“This is all voluntary,” Elway said of the offseason workout program. “If Von chooses to be here, then great. You always hope that everybody is here. Players have different things they have going in the offseason. We will see (if it takes time). I hope not.
“It’s not nearly as bad as people have portrayed it. I know what I think of Von Miller. I know what this organization thinks of Von Miller. He’s very important to us. We are going to work our tail off to try and get something done with him.”
As for the seven-round draft next week, the Broncos own the 31st pick in the first round. Elway said he never considered moving up to one of the first two slots to acquire a quarterback, which the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles have done. “I think it would have taken four of our drafts,” Elway said.
The Broncos’ ability to address multiple areas in free agency — acquiring starting offensive tackles Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson, and defensive end Jared Crick — leaves them open to possibilities. Elway never has drafted an offensive player in the first round. He didn’t rule out taking Mississippi defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche in the No. 31 slot. He said the defensive and offensive lines and the secondary are the deepest areas of the draft.
“That’s the key, to try not to go in with a big need. As I said, that’s when you reach a little bit,” Elway said. “We don’t want to do that. Depth-wise, even though we have lost guys (in free agency), there is turnover every year. That’s why these drafts are so important. You have to draft well, where the young guys can step up when guys leave. We feel great. We have 10 picks. We’re in good shape.”
