Miller emotional as Broncos trade perennial Pro Bowl LB to Rams
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The trade began to hit Von Miller as he toddled past the photo gallery of great moments that decorate the Denver Broncos’ headquarters.
The featured shot is the one of him knocking the ball and, in effect, the Lombardi Trophy, from Cam Newton’s grasp five years and nine months ago.
“Always have Super Bowl 50,” a choked-up Miller said on a gray Monday morning as snowflakes danced into the black Cadillac Escalade’s open back window and melted on his tie-dye hoodie.
“Seeing the pictures as I was walking out made me tear up.”
Miller is no longer the face of the franchise in Denver.
The loquacious linebacker is headed West to join Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey with the Los Angeles Rams in a trade that surprised him.
“It’s all kind of new,” said Miller, who insisted he didn’t ask out. “I’m on my way to L.A.”
Where a Super Bowl contender awaits.
“Great team. Been a huge fan of Aaron Donald for a long time,” Miller said. “They’ve got a great defense. Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd, all these guys. I’m excited.”
The Rams are sending the Broncos second- and third-round picks in the 2022 draft for the perennial Pro Bowler. The Broncos also are picking up $9 million of the $9.722 million left on his contract.
Miller’s trophy case includes his Super Bowl 50 MVP award for leading Denver to a 24-10 win over heavily favored Carolina following the 2015 season and 2011 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
“Von was the very first draft pick we made back in 2011 at a time when we needed an impact player to turn this team around,” said John Elway, the Broncos president of football operations. “Von dedicated himself to become an elite, record-setting
pass rusher and future Hall of Famer while helping us to one of the winningest periods in team history.
“Von was always at his best when we needed him the most,” Elway added. “Our Super Bowl 50 win and playoff run that year would not have been possible without Von turning in one of the most dominant individual performances of all time.”
Broncos president Joe Ellis called Miller a “franchise icon” and general manager George Paton said, “I’ll always be a fan of his and I look forward to watching his continued impact on our league.”
Miller is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, seven-time All-Pro and a member of the league’s 2010s All-Decade team. And he’s the Broncos’ franchise leader with 110 1/2 sacks in the regular season and has another 6 1/2 in the playoffs.
“It’s hard to put the emotions into words,” Miller said. “It’s always tough whenever you leave. I love all my fans. I love Broncos country. When I said Broncos for life, I meant that. It was an honor and a privilege to play here.
“John Elway picked me. It’s life changing. Ever since then, been able to play with Peyton Manning, DeMarcus Ware, Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins, Tim Tebow. It’s still kind of hard to put into words.”
The Rams summed it up quite succinctly.
“We’re all in,” the Rams (7-1) tweeted along with a meme of actor John Malkovich splashing the pot at the poker table.
And it looks as though the Broncos (44) are folding their hand.
Plagued by instability at quarterback, unimaginative offensive play-calling, draft busts and free-agent flops, the once-proud franchise is mired in one of its longest runs of mediocrity since the 1960s.
“This team, they’re going to start winning soon,” Miller said. “I wanted to be a part of it to fix it.”
Miller, who’s in the final year of his contract, was sidelined all of last year with a dislocated ankle tendon. He had a splashy comeback, winning the AFC Defensive Player of the Month honor in September.
Despite a quiet October, Miller was still considered a gem for contenders as today’s trade deadline approached.