Millergeddon: The potential fallout if the Broncos and Von Miller can't strike a deal

The Denver Broncos offseason is starting to resemble a summer blockbuster. There are twist turns, new faces, heroes and villains (depending on whose side you are on), and yet the climax of this film is still just days away.

Von Miller, the Broncos hero just months ago in Santa Clara, California, is at the center of the drama and has until July 15th at 2 pm to sign his exclusive franchise tag or the long-term deal he is seeking. If the two sides cannot come to terms on a deal, Miller has pledged he will not play under the tag and will be forced to sit out a season.

Like Bruce Willis’ character in the 1998 summer flick “Armageddon” who swooped in at the last second, sacrificed and saved the world—someone needs to sacrifice for the greater good or the Broncos will be facing a Millergeddon, the results of which may implode the defending champions.

The drama has been highly publicized: Multiple ultimatums made by the Broncos since negotiations began in mid-February, a leaked contract proposal June 7, followed by Miller cropping John Elway out of photos and declarations of not playing under the franchise tag have brought the situation to a head as BSN Denver reported June 10. Just as recently as last weekend, several sources reported that the two sides had rekindled talks, yet still no new monetary details have been discussed.

If Elway sticks to his offer lacking guaranteed money or simply offers the franchise tag and Miller also sticks to his pledge to not play under said tag, the Broncos will not only lose arguably their best player but also arguably their most liked player in the locker room. A move that would immediately affect the on-field play and how free agents view the franchise for years to come.

Simply put, Miller’s play constitutes a new contract. He is an exceptional athlete, the likes of which rarely come around to the National Football League. His on-field presence is stunning. He altered the outcomes of every single postseason game, tallying five sacks on the Broncos way to their third Super Bowl Title and a Super Bowl 50 MVP trophy. And that is only the most recent example. He is also the third-fastest player to 50 sacks and already has four ten-sack seasons in his five in the NFL.

On his play alone, it is easy to make the case for a new contract. Miller’s bond with the league’s leading defense, as well as the entire roster is immeasurable but as important as his sack totals. Several Broncos, over several seasons have watched Miller’s growth into a team leader. Miller often host’s teammates for team dinners. He has been described as the “glue” that holds the team together.

The torch was certainly passed last year from Peyton Manning and the high-flying offense of 2012-2014 to the historically good 2015 Broncos defense. Miller is the future leader of not only the defense but the entire team. Losing his presence in the locker room, coupled with his stellar play, would be an enormous blow to team morale.

Miller sitting out a season to ultimately join another NFL team in 2017 would be gut-wrenching for the defending champion roster, but it would also impact future free agents considering joining the Broncos long term.

Elway has been praised for his handling of free agents, convincing them to join the team a la Manning, T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware to name a few. He has also watched as several longtime Broncos, up for new, lengthy contracts, join other teams. Brock Osweiler, Danny Trevathan, Eric Decker, Julius Thomas are just a few.

In some cases, after years of solid play, Elway believed that they would receive offers so large from other clubs that he did not even offer a contract to players. Some may say that is a smart and shrewd business approach, but others would also gather that it shows that after rookie contracts, the Broncos are often unwilling to pay the fair price for a player’s second, more lucrative deal. Miller, choosing to forgo an entire season while in the prime of his career in order to get a deal he deemed fair would echo greatly across the NFL.

The clock is ticking, like a time bomb with only high profile figures able to diffuse it. Sound like a movie? Only Elway and Miller can set aside their difference, team up and come up with a deal both can agree on. If they can’t, it will be Millergeddon, with Miller, Elway and ultimately the fans becoming the losers.

In that scenario, the Broncos lose their hero and someone; Miller or John Elway will certainly turn into the villain. Can they save their season in time? The drama is building and July 15th a bomb will go off. Unless someone comes in and saves the day.