The Philadelphia Eagles did something a bit crazy, but they did lock down a good player. The issue for the Denver Broncos is that Von Miller only had his position strengthened by this new contract for defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. The actual guaranteed money is around $55.5 million in the first two years, which is all anyone is going to look at.
Eagles and Fletcher Cox agree to 6-year, $103M extension that includes $63M gtd, per sources. Highest guarantee for a non-QB in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 13, 2016
John Elway is going to have to top that now. Why?
Because Von Miller is a better player and a bigger difference maker than Fletcher Cox. And it's not even close.
Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro from The Afternoon Drive called Miller a transcendent player and I agree with that statement. His career arc is headed straight towards a gold jacket and a bust in Canton. Would anyone besides an Eagles homer say the same about Cox?
The only caveat that could be argued here and it is a weak one if you are Elway is that the Eagles throw money around like it's free. In fact, they have nearly double the guaranteed money tied up in their salary cap than the next closest team.
@MileHighReport Nothing the Eagles do should be considered. All they do is handout ridiculous contracts. pic.twitter.com/vaCcgpUgrC
— Dal Trubey (@trubes1971) June 14, 2016
The market is the market and Von Miller shouldn't back down from his negotiations with Elway. A hometown discount at this point would be in the $58 million guaranteed range. That will lock down the greatest outside pass rusher of this generation through his prime. Seems reasonable to me!
Bonus Listen
Mike Pritchard chats with Goodman and Shapiro about the negotiations with Von Miller and the Denver Broncos. He noted what we any rational person would know, which is that Miller should not take these negotiations personal. It's all part of the process.