“That’s how it’s supposed to be!”
When it comes to Von Miller and his long-term contract with the Denver Broncos, those six words are telling.
What he’s referring to is the monster five-year, $75 million ($50 million guaranteed) contract Josh Norman received from the Washington Redskins on Friday after the Panthers removed the franchise tag from him earlier in the week.
Obviously, Miller is going to root for players to get paid — he wrote “the good guys won today” — but what does this mean going forward? How does the Josh Norman situation affect the way Miller negotiates his contract?
If Broncos Country thought he was going to be chomping at the bit to take a hometown discount, think again. To paraphrase Von, “It feels good to see the ‘good guys’ get what they deserve; that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
And you can bet Miller sees himself as a “good guy.”
So if the Broncos aren’t willing to pay Miller what he “deserves,” then what happens next? Could he ask to have his franchise tag rescinded, too? Will he hold out? Do he and his agent have another move up their sleeves?
No one can answer those questions right now, including John Elway and the Broncos, so it’s pretty much a wait-and-see situation. What we do know, though, is that Elway and Miller are far enough a part that we should be beginning to get worried about the negotiations. With this much money involved, it can pay to be stubborn and strong-headed; it can also backfire.
Let’s hope calmer heads prevail, and No. 58 will be on the field come Week 1, with a big-time contract in hand.