Von Miller on Browns radar with JJ Watt off the market
Mar 1, 2021, 1:28 PM
With the Arizona Cardinals taking J.J Watt off the free agency market, the longing eyes of the Cleveland Browns could turn to Denver Broncos pass rusher Von Miller.
Last week, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported if Watt did not land in Cleveland, Miller would be among the top veteran pass rushers on the Browns radar to replace Olivier Vernon.
“That doesn’t mean they won’t draft one, but they’ve demonstrated that they value proven pass rushers and are willing to pay them,” Cabot wrote.
However, last week NFL Insider Ian Rapoport speculated Miller wouldn’t even get to free agency.
Making an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, Rapoport said, “If he’s free, he’s going to have a very good market. I will say at this point, I doubt that he’s free.”
Rapoport said he thinks the Broncos won’t exercise their club option on the final year of Miller’s contract — which would guarantee him $7 million of his $18 million salary in 2021 — but rather come to an agreement with the All-Pro on an extension.
Watt’s new deal — two years and $31 million with $23 million guaranteed — could set the framework extending Miller in Denver.
A similar contract to Watt’s could keep Miller in the Mile High City past 2021 and provide him more guaranteed money while lowering the cap hit against the Broncos.
