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According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, Denver Broncos star pass rusher Von Miller is under criminal investigation. No details have been released on the nature of the alleged crime, but obviously this isn’t good news.
Broncos Von Miller is under criminal investigation by Parker Police Department per @writerkev and me. Josh Hans, Parker Police spokesman confirmed Miller investigation under way.
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) January 15, 2021
“We’re not commenting on nature of the allegations. We haven’t completed the investigation.” #9sports
Von Miller had been in the tabloids recently for some not so flattering reasons (I’ll leave you to gGoogle that) and now things just got a bit worse for the Broncos’ pass rusher. I won’t speculate further on this matter and just focus of the football side of things for Miller and the Broncos.
One of the big things newly hired GM George Paton has to decide this offseason is whether to pick up Miller’s club option. They have until March 9 to do so. Even before this investigation was reported, it looked like Von could potentially be on his way out of Denver.
He’ll be turning 32 years old in March and coming off missing the entire 2020 NFL season due to a foot injury.
Carrying a $22 million cap hit with those things and now a police investigation is a bit much. The Broncos do have an out that would free up $18 million and cost them $4.225 in dead money.
The Broncos have until March 9th to decide on the team option for Von Miller.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) January 15, 2021
He carries a $22.125M cap number in 2021. Turning down the option frees up $18M vs. a $4.125M dead cap hit.
If charges are filed, the Broncos have to move on. It sucks, but this would give the team a healthy boost in cap to potentially add a big name or two via free agency.
If Miller is no longer on the Broncos, it would leave Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed as the Broncos’ starting edge rushers heading into the 2021 season. I would imagine some level of competition or draft pick being added to this group to push or split snaps with Reed.
George Paton has been on the job for two days and already has some potential drama to deal with.
Update
Broncos have released a short statement on the Von Miller situation.
From Broncos:
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) January 15, 2021
“We are aware of an investigation involving Von Miller and are in the process of gathering more information.” #9sports