There’s a decent chance that the Denver Broncos will opt to move on from former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller during the NFL offseason. Denver has a $22.23 million option on the star pass rusher’s contract for the 2021 season. It can save $18 million against the salary cap by declining said option.
For the Broncos, moving on from one of the best defenders in franchise history would be a bitter pill to swallow. Unfortunately, the finances may dictate their decision.
After making ample moves to cut their payroll ahead of NFL free agency, the Broncos are an estimated $46.39 million under the cap. In addition to the Von Miller situation, Denver has to retain a key defender in Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons. That should cost north of $12 million annually.
This doesn’t even take into account new general manager George Paton having to upgrade a roster that won a mere five games a season ago. To make a longer story short, there’s a good chance that Miller hits the NFL free-agent market. If so, one team is currently the betting favorite.
Green Bay Packers favored to land Von Miller
According to Bovada, the Packers are +500 to land Miller should he hit the open market. In no way should this be considered a surprise. Green Bay was among the teams favored to acquire J.J. Watt after he was released by the Houston Texans. That did not come to fruition with Watt shockingly agreeing to join the Arizona Cardinals.
The Packers’ defense recorded 41 sacks this past season after registering the same number in 2019. Preston Smith took a major step back in his second season with the team after signing a lucrative long-term contract.
He could very well be an NFL salary cap casualty here soon. If that is indeed the case, Green Bay will be looking for a running partner for Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith. Obviously, Von Miller would make sense.
Other favorites to land Von Miller in NFL free agency
- Cleveland Browns: +550
- Buffalo Bills: +600
- Tennessee Titans: +700
- Las Vegas Raiders: +1400
Cleveland, Buffalo, Tennessee and Las Vegas were all reportedly in on Watt. All four are going to be looking for big-time pass rushers once the NFL offseason gets going in full-scale mode.
The Browns’ interest in pass-rush help is solely to find a running partner for reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett. He led them with 12 sacks a season ago. The rest of Cleveland’s defense recorded a mere 26 quarterback takedowns.
As for the Bills, most figured that they were going to land Watt in free agency. He wanted to join a top-end Super Bowl contender after wasting away in Houston over the past several years. That did not come to fruition. In adding Miller, the Bills would be improving a pass rush that recorded a mere 38 sacks this past season.
Tennessee and Las Vegas remain two of the most pass-rush needy teams in the NFL. Despite their 11-5 record last season, the Titans recorded a league-low 19 sacks. Meanwhile, Jon Gruden’s Raiders still have not found a way to replace Khalil Mack. They need a ton of help out on the edge.
It will certainly be interesting to see where Miller lands should Denver move on from the eight-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer.
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