Ware, scheduled for back surgery, has been a force
Von Miller doesn’t want to fathom life without DeMarcus Ware. The Broncos’ all-pro outside linebacker believes he owes the past three years of his career to Ware, a 12-year veteran who arrived in Miller’s life when he was at his lowest point.
“He saved me. He was life-changing,” Miller said. “It’s like a superhero moved in with you staying at your house every day. You get to see exactly how he lives his life, you get to see the behind-the-scenes work, you get to see how raw and real he is. He had a huge impact on my life and my career.”
Ware, 34, will have surgery Friday to repair a ruptured disc in his back, leaving his NFL future uncertain. The Broncos put him on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday.
Thursday on Twitter, Ware alluded to returning for another season. But his injuries are mounting, and he will be a free agent during the offseason.
Denver players want to avoid the feeling of a eulogy when talking about Ware, but they understand that his career may be over.
“We all know the reality of the business. The business says
you’re expensive, you’re hurt and you’re older, they’re less likely to keep you around. A lot of people understand what might happen, but we’ll see,” said inside linebacker Brandon Marshall, who plans to have Ware autograph a jersey for him this week. “If he doesn’t return, I’m going to miss him. He epitomizes what a leader, a great man of faith, a hard worker and a great football player is. He’s once in a generation.”
Ware, who wasn’t available to speak for this story while dealing with medical matters away from Broncos headquarters, missed all of the team’s offseason workouts, training camp and preseason because of his back issues and later an infection. He has had back issues dating to when he played for the Dallas Cowboys, and he missed five games this season because of a fractured forearm.
Because of his injuries, it’s easy to forget how dominant Ware was throughout his career. He contributed 3.5 sacks in three playoff games to Denver’s Super Bowl title run last season, including two sacks against the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl. He ranks eighth in NFL history with 138.5 sacks in his career.
“He’s a Hall of Fame player just like Rickey Jackson, Bruce Smith and Reggie White,” said Wade Phillips, the Broncos’ defensive coordinator. “He’s 65 sacks ahead of Von Miller right now; that’s pretty scary. I wish I had his body. So does my wife.”
Coach Gary Kubiak said Ware “takes great care of himself. He’s in amazing shape for his age. He has good football left in him and his attitude is really good. … Obviously this organization loves DeMarcus and what he’s done.”
If Ware doesn’t return, the Broncos would lose another leader, like Peyton Manning, who’s difficult to replace. Ware is admired because of his film study, pushing young players to perfection and being a vocal leader on and off the field. Several players said Ware gives them advice on everything from financial matters to family disputes and personal hardships.
Ware made more than $6.5 million this season after a contract restructure. He probably would need to take a pay cut to return to the Broncos as a backup. He has played 29 percent of the team’s defensive snaps this season, ranking fourth at outside linebacker behind Miller, Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett. He posted career lows in sacks (four) and games played (10).
The Broncos have been preparing for life without Ware by grooming Ray and Barrett. Miller (13.5) and Ray (seven) are tied for the NFL lead as a pass-rushing duo with a total of 20.5 sacks this season.
“Whenever D-Ware decides his time is done, I’m ready,” Ray said last week.
The Broncos won’t be in the playoffs for the first time since 2010 so it’s clear to them how much can change in one season. There’s no bigger example than Ware, who Miller called a “Ferrari with brake issues.” Ware’s teammates are hopeful that he can return in 2017, but they know it’s unlikely.
“The beauty of the NFL is knowing this isn’t going to last forever,” Miller said. “There’s only a small period of time where you can show what you got and prove yourself. You get one year, then people start losing patience with you. You have to be great right now. You have to take advantage of the moment right now. The moment that I had with DeMarcus was major.”