Von Miller’s teammates had said repeatedly this offseason they believed a long-term deal would get done. They believed their star linebacker and Super Bowl MVP would get his money and return to the field for training camp. They believed their defense, which already lost a few key names in free agency, would not lose its backbone.
But they also believed Miller would stay true to his word and sit out the season if no accord was reached.
“I believe him,” cornerback Chris Harris said Tuesday on NFL Network. “You’ve got to take his word for it. It would be hard for me to sit out, missing out on $14 million, but I think Von is serious in what he’s saying. I think he truly, this whole time just talking to him, he hates the franchise tag. I definitely think he won’t sign it.”
Miller didn’t have to.
Friday morning, about two hours before the deadline to sign a franchise player to a long-term deal, Miller and the Broncos ended weeks of acrimony and agreed on a six-year, $114.5 million contract that included $70 million in guarantees, the most of any nonquarterback in the league.
Here’s what Miller himself, as well as Broncos players (past and present) and others around the league thought of his new contract:
"It's been a great 5 years, here's to 6 more amazing years! Thanks Bronco Nation, I love you and I appreciate you!
— Von Miller (@VonMiller)
Mark Sanchez: “Happy the deal was done in time for camp. I knew both sides had the same goal and now we can start camp with the whole squad.”
Harris (to NFL Network on Friday): “It’s something I already knew. I already knew it was happening. It was just in the process of getting done. But I’m happy, man. Me and Von came in together and we’ve grown together in the NFL, so I’m just happy to continue to play with him. … I’ve been telling Von you just have to be patient and it was going to happen at the deadline. The same situation with DT (Demaryius Thomas) happened last year, so it was something I already had told him what was going down and he just had to be patient.”
Sylvester Williams: “I’m happy for him. I think he deserves every penny. He is a hard-worker and a true teammate, and he played his heart out for us bringing that Super Bowl home!”
Shannon Sharpe: “Very happy for Von and the Broncos. A player like Von doesn’t come around often. You find one, develop him and keep him.”
Congrats ! Excited for what the future holds for you & our team. Proud of everyone for getting it done!
— John Elway (@johnelway)
😂😂😂 "who's coming with me?!" 💰🏆 congrats bro !
— T.J. Ward (@BossWard43)
🐐🐐
— Paxton Lynch (@PaxtonLynch)
Worth every penny. Congrats
— Kyle Roberts (@kyleroberts66)
Oooowwwweeee 58 ! Turn up !
— kwebb (@kayvonwebster)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BH5WTp0j0xK/
VONNN!!! My dawg got what he deserved– PAIIIID!! 💰💰💰 congrats Fam
— Kenny Anunike (@ANU_NIKE22)
Very well deserved. Congrats !
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt)
Congrats bro! Hard work pays off!
— Khalil Mack (@FiftyDeuce)
Congrats to ! Much deserved fella!! Proud of you young man. 💰💰💰💰
— David BRUTON JR. PT, DPT (@D_Brut30)
V.Mill congrats Bruh! well deserved.
— Danny Trevathan (@Grindin_59)
There you go. Never doubted it.
— Ed McCaffrey (@87ed)
I love seeing young brothas get money!
— Omar C. Bolden (@OmarBolden)
https://twitter.com/arikarmstead/status/754034272109867008
Get paid my brother👌🏾.
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II)
Congrats !!!
— ROBERT MATHIS QBH8r (@RobertMathis98)
Congrats my dog !! 2011 draft class legendary!!
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII)
Congrats ! You deserve it man, one of the best I've played against on the field and one of the nicest guys off!
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph)
👌👌💰💰
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs)
congrats bro
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward)
😂😂😂 No Words! So happy for my brother man! @jrbelcher310
— Coach Tony (@TonyJerodEddie)
