Six days after being hired as the Broncos’ new general manager tasked with returning a once-proud franchise to relevance, George Paton outlined his modus operandi.
“We’re going to be aggressive, but we’re not going to be reckless in player acquisition,” he said on Jan. 19.
Paton checked both those boxes Monday when completing one of the biggest trades in Broncos history, sending outside linebacker Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams for 2022 second- and third-round draft picks. It was an aggressive move — more than 24 hours ahead of Tuesday’s 2 p.m. deadline, Paton traded one of the most popular and successful players in franchise history and received terrific value in return. And it was the opposite of reckless — he didn’t give Miller away so he can pursue a second Super Bowl ring.
Paton agreed to have the Broncos pay $9 million of Miller’s remaining $10.5 million salary to complete the deal and maximize the draft assets. Miller, 32 and scheduled for free agency in March, ends his Broncos career with a team-record 110 1/2 sacks, eight Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro selections, and Super Bowl 50 MVP honors.
“I had a lot of beautiful years here,” he told reporters outside the Broncos’ facility. “A lot of great memories, a lot of great teammates, a lot of great coaches, a lot of great fans. I’ll never forget all of these people.”
Miller’s name came up last week when Paton and Rams general manager Les Snead completed the trade involving inside linebacker Kenny Young being flipped to the Broncos, according to a source. Paton and Snead spoke again over the weekend and Fangio told KOA Radio, the Broncos’ flagship station, he was given a heads up about the trade after Sunday’s 17-10 win over Washington.
By late Monday morning, the deal was being finalized and Miller was meeting individually with Paton, Fangio, Broncos president of football operations John Elway and president/CEO Joe Ellis.
By early Monday afternoon, Miller was riding shotgun in a car leaving the Broncos’ facility.
And by late Monday afternoon, Broncos fans were active on social media to equal parts digest one of their favorite players moving on and salute Paton for his work.
“Von and I had a positive, honest conversation (Monday) morning about our team as well as his own future,” Paton said in a statement. “As I told Von, we wanted to do right not only for the Broncos, but also for him personally with everything he has meant to this organization. …
“As we build this team for sustained success, our mindset does not change: Our goal is to win. I’m confident in the players and our leadership, and we’re excited for the second half of the season.”
A proponent of stock-piling draft picks, Paton now has five picks among the top 100 of next year’s draft, chips he can use in at least three ways: To acquire a veteran quarterback, to move up in the draft to select a quarterback or to kick-start a roster transition with immediate contributors.
“You are probably trading (Miller) for the second-round pick and paying (Miller’s salary) for the third-round pick,” a league source said. “That’s the best way to put it. It’s a pretty good return for a player who wasn’t going to be with Denver next year.”
Is Paton telling the Broncos he is raising the white flag on this season by trading Miller?
“No, I don’t think it’s sending that kind of message,” a league source said. “I think in any way you look at it, it’s very good value and something George couldn’t pass up.”
The Broncos had to pick up most of Miller’s salary to make the deal happen. On Monday morning, according to the NFLPA’s website, the Rams had only $1,154,482 in available cap space.
“I think the Broncos won this one,” a second league source said. “The Rams are obviously all-in on the Super Bowl so from a financial standpoint, the Broncos paid $9 million for second-round and third-round picks and that’s well under the total package worth of those picks.”
Miller’s departure leaves kicker Brandon McManus as the lone remaining Broncos player from the team’s 2015 Super Bowl title. Miller, though, was more than the team’s all-time sacks leader — he was the face of the franchise as they wandered around the NFL wilderness in search of a long-term quarterback and a return to playoff contention.
The Broncos haven’t played in a postseason game since beating Carolina in Super Bowl 50 in February 2016. Miller continued to produce even as the team joined also-ran status, posting seasons of 13 1/2, 10 and 14 1/2 sacks from 2016-18. But he had only eight sacks in ’19 and missed all of ’20 following a non-contact ankle injury that required surgery.
Miller started this year fast, posting four sacks during the Broncos’ 3-0 start to win AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September. He had only a half-sack in his final four games, though, and left the Oct. 21 loss at Cleveland late in the first half an ankle injury.
Minus Miller, the Broncos will lean on Malik Reed, Jonathon Cooper, Stephen Weatherly and Andre Mintze to serve as the top four edge rushers until Bradley Chubb (ankle surgery) returns from injured reserve.
“In speaking with our captains and the team today, I told them I believe in our players,” Fangio said in a statement. “Our mindset is to move forward together, improve and win.”
Staff writer Kyle Newman contributed to this story.
