J.J. Watt’s deal with the Cardinals sets the market for Von Miller

If George Paton wants to restructure the contract of his most high profile player, the value of the former Super Bowl MVP is now known

BY JAMES MERILATT

Mar 1, 2021, 12:52 PM

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The careers of Von Miller and J.J. Watt have mirrored each other in a lot of ways. They both entered the NFL in 2011, with the Broncos taking Miller at No. 2 and the Texans selection Watt at No. 11 overall. They’ve both won a lot of accolades, highlighted by Miller’s MVP in Super Bowl 50 and Watt’s three Defensive Player of the Year awards. And both have put up very similar numbers.

After @JJWatt's reported new deal, the @AZCardinals have the NFL's top 2 in sacks since 2012:

Most Sacks
Since 2012

ARI Chandler Jones 97.0
ARI J.J. Watt 95.5
DEN Von Miller 94.5
NO Cameron Jordan 93.5
NFL Justin Houston 92.0

— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 1, 2021

There’s one way most people in Broncos Country are hoping their careers don’t parallel. After 10 seasons in Houston, Watt departed this offseason. Given his contract situation, there’s a chance the same thing happens with Miller in Denver.

The Broncos all-time leader in sacks is entering the final year of his current contract. He’s slated to earn $18 million, while counting $22.225 million against the salary cap.

Given that he missed all of last season due to an injury, which came on the heels of a slightly disappointing 2019 campaign in which Miller only posted 8.0 sacks, those numbers seem way out of proportion. Most believe that George Paton will either try to get Miller’s contract off the books, which would leave $4.225 million in dead money, or restructure the deal in a more team-friendly manner.

If the new general manager decides to go down the latter route, the market for formerly great defensive players in the early 30s has been set. It occurred on Monday when Watt signed with the Cardinals.

Watt inked a two-year, $31-million deal, with $23 million guaranteed, in Arizona. That sets the framework for Miller.

Such a contract would offer Miller more money that he’s currently set to make, both in terms of overall and guarantee, while allowing the Broncos to cut the cap hit in 2021 nearly in half. That’s a win-win.

One of the hardest parts of any contract restructure is establishing the value of a player. Thanks to the news that broke today in Arizona, with J.J. Watt signing with the Cardinals, that mystery has now been solved when it comes to renegotiating with Von Miller. The market has been set.