Unless Von Miller and the Broncos reach a long-term agreement by the July 15 deadline, the star pass rusher is slated to make $14 million next season, fully guaranteed. He, his agent and the Broncos have the framework of a six-year, $114.5 million deal agreed upon, but nothing will get done until John Elway agrees to up the guaranteed money.

This has led to increased tension from both parties, as Miller has gone so far as to say he would rather sit out the entire 2016 season than play under the franchise tag.

Alex Johnston, Andrew Fisher and Jeff Lalicker of The Big, Little and Jake Show on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7, though, believe that these negotiations will end up going the same way as Demaryius Thomas‘ last year.

“Honestly,” Lalicker said, “the way we’re all talking about this, I think the Broncos are going to do exactly what they did with Demaryius Thomas.”

The Broncos went through this last season with another playmaker, but ultimately got their guy after prolonging the process up until the same deadline Von and the Broncos are now facing.

Signing Thomas last summer wasn’t about guaranteed money, though. Rather, it was about matching or exceeding the contract of Dez Bryant, who was also vying for a long-term contract. Eventually, both receivers would get nearly identical contracts within hours of the deadline.

“If you look at the history of how the Broncos have done it, with [Matt] Prater, [Ryan] Clady and then Demaryius Thomas,” Johnston said, “it all pretty much went up to that final date.”

Despite the ongoing ping-pong match between Miller and the front office, Lalicker has confidence in Miller’s staying in Denver:

“The Broncos and him will get it done before the July 15 deadline … everything will be fine.”

To hear more about the optimism surrounding Miller’s possible stay with the Broncos, listen to the podcast below …

https://soundcloud.com/milehighsports/6-19-16-support-von-miller-or-shut-up-big-little-jeff

Catch the The Big, Little and Jake Show Sundays from 6p-8p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.