CIN V LA

This offseason, the Broncos should have a reunion with Von Miller

Feb 7, 2022, 12:31 PM

During the last three weeks, DenverFan.com released the “State of the Broncos” series, a position-by-position look at where the franchise stands heading toward the 2022 season. It was a fascinating review and preview, providing a different perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the team.

One thing that jumped out was how anemic the Broncos are on the defensive side of the ball. More specifically, their front seven is woefully thin.

That’s not to say there aren’t some nice pieces, but there aren’t a lot of stars. Along the defensive line, they have a bunch of “guys.” At inside linebacker, the bar is ridiculously low. And at edge rusher, there isn’t a star among the bunch.

That last category is the big concern. The Broncos can get by with the likes of Shelby Harris, Dre’Mont Jones and Mike Purcell up front. And they can patch things together in the middle with players like Baron Browning and Kenny Young, should they choose to re-sign him. But they can’t fake it on the edge. That’s not a spot where a patchwork approach works.

That’s where a great defense has to have playmakers. Those are the standouts that cause sleepless nights for opposing offensive coordinators and quarterbacks.

The Broncos don’t have any. That’s the harsh reality.

Bradley Chubb has potential. But he has 8.5 sacks total in the last three seasons combined.

Malik Reed is a nice complimentary player. But he’s better served as a rotational guy, a third pass rusher who comes in to provide the top two guys with a break.

And Jonathon Cooper showed some promise. But it would be a gross exaggeration to suggest that a player who recorded 2.5 sacks in his rookie season is destined to become a top-flight pass rusher.

Those are nice pieces. They’re worth keeping around. But an upgrade is necessary.

The best option available is a familiar face. When free agency rolls around, the Broncos should make a run at bringing Von Miller back to the Mile High City.

On Nov. 1, the team’s all-time leader in sacks was traded to the Rams. On Sunday, the Super Bowl 50 MVP will have another chance to shine in the big game.

While things have gone well for Miller in Los Angeles, there’s no guarantee that he’ll turn out to be anything more than a rental. He was brought in to help the Rams win the Super Bowl this year. Next season is totally up in the air, as Miller is a free agent.

And when it comes to edge rushers, he’s the second-best option on the market. According to Pro Football Focus, only Chandler Jones is a more-intriguing player in free agency. And not by much.

This season, Miller had 9.5 sacks. He had two more in the postseason. Heck, he finished fourth on the Broncos is sacks this season, racking up 4.5 before the trade and earning AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors in September.

Bringing Miller back wouldn’t be awkward. The team and the best defensive player in the history of the franchise parted ways on good terms. George Paton treated Miller right on his way out the door.

It’d be a masterful move by the Broncos general manager. He’d get a second- and third-round pick for letting Miller play the second half of a season that was going nowhere in Denver with a different team, while also managing to allow an all-time great to finish his career in orange and blue.

And it’d make sense for Miller. He’s had the chance to chase another ring. Now, he can return home and try to finally right the ship in Denver.

The Broncos have money to spend and a need at outside linebacker. If they get Aaron Rodgers, they’ll be ready to make a Super Bowl run of their own.

But that can’t happen with their current defense. Their front seven isn’t good enough.

Adding Von Miller would solve that issue. A reunion should be in the Broncos plans this offseason.

CIN v LA

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This offseason, the Broncos should have a reunion with Von Miller