Broncos Not Looking To Trade Von Miller, But Bears, Colts & Giants Could Be Interested If Talks Break Down

Update:

According to Jason Cole of B/R, the idea of the Broncos trading franchise OLB Von Miller has been mentioned in passing between the two sides. However, Denver is confident that they’ll eventually get a deal done before the upcoming deadline.

Cole points out that there are nine teams who currently have the available cap space to sign Miller to the kind of contract extension he’s looking for, and would also be willing to part with the compensation it would take to acquire him in a trade.

Cole specifically mentions that Bears, Colts and Giants as teams to watch for Miller in the unlikely event he’s made available for trade.

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Mike Klis of 9News reports that the Broncos aren’t looking to trade franchise OLB Von Miller, and are instead focused on signing him to a long-term deal.

While that may be the Broncos’ plan for the days leading up to Friday’s deadline, Klis writes that the best move for Denver, in the event they can’t sign him to an extension, would be to trade Miller for assets in order to maximize his value.

Klis points out that the Broncos should be able to secure a better package in return for Miller if they trade him a few days in advance of the upcoming deadline, as this would give a new team at least a few days to work on a long-term contract that would prevent Miller from being a free agent again next year.

In regards to contract talks between the two parties, Klis says that they’re are not far apart. However, the Broncos have not adjusted their proposal since Friday.

Miller told ESPN Monday that he won’t play out the 2016 season under the franchise.

“No, I’m not gonna play on the franchise tag. It just doesn’t make sense in any way,” Miller said, via Michael David Smith of ESPN.

Miller added that the issue is beyond money, and he considers the franchise tag to be a “league-wide” problem.

“I’ve never really played for money,” Miller said. “It’s bigger than that for me. It’s a league-wide problem that I feel like I’m in a situation to help out with.”

The Broncos reportedly made Miller another offer late last week that included more guaranteed money and the third-year of the deal becoming guaranteed in March of next year.

Contract talks between the two sides are expected to pick up this week, so it’s possible that the talk of Miller sitting out the season could be for not.

The two sides have reportedly agreed on the framework of a six-year, $114.5 million contract, but there is obviously still work to be done before the upcoming deadline.

Miller, 27, is a former first-round pick of the Broncos back in 2011. After playing out his rookie deal, Denver picked up his fifth-year option and later used their franchise tag on Miller this offseason. He’s now in line to make $15.701 million fully guaranteed for the 2016 season.

In 2015, Miller appeared all 16 games and recorded 35 tackles, 11 sacks, three fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 2 outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense out of 53 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding a possible extension for Miller as the news is available.