Or have they?
As recently as Monday, when the champions visited the White House, Miller had expressed optimism that a long-term deal would get done.
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According to KUSA, the sides reached a partial agreement in recent days on the years (six) and total value of Miller’s proposed contract (more than the $143.375 million the Dolphins’ Ndamukong Suh got in 2015 to become the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player).
However, the Broncos set a Tuesday-night deadline for an agreement and when the deadline passed rescinded their multiyear offer, leaving Miller to play 2016 on the $14.129 million franchise-tag amount.
But a report Wednesday afternoon revealed the two sides still are working toward a deal.
The breakdown came over “significant differences in how the deal was structured,” KUSA reported, noting that guaranteed dollars, particularly in the first three years of a deal, typically are key to long-term NFL contracts.
General manager John Elway set the early deadline — teams have until July 15 to work out multiyear deals with franchise-tagged players — in an effort to prevent repeating history.
Since-traded lineman Ryan Clady received the franchise tag in 2013, as did wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in 2015. Both missed entire offseason workout programs before signing long-terms deals before training camp in July.
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According to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, the Broncos can place the franchise tag on Miller for three consecutive seasons, paying him the $14.129 million this year, $16.955 million in 2017 and $24.4 million for 2018 — a three-year commitment of $55.48 million.
The risk: Worst-case scenario, Miller could opt to sit out the season rather than play for $14.129 million. The Broncos then would be unable to apply the “exclusive” franchise tag next offseason.
