Schlereth to Von Miller: Broncos paid $70M to not miss Monday OTAs

On Sunday night, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller sat courtside in Oakland for Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.

But Miller was absent from the sidelines on Monday at UCHealth Training Center, missing the Broncos voluntary workout.

Head coach Vance Joseph said Miller had told him on Friday that he’d be “out West” and that he would be back on the practice field Tuesday, which the All-Pro pass rusher was the following day.

“Von is out West on personal matters. It’s a voluntary workout. I didn’t take roll, but Von told me Friday that he wouldn’t be here today. So, I like that part. I wasn’t surprised by it, because you were going to ask me that,” Joseph said with a laugh.

However, it’s no laughing matter according to “Schlereth & Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth.

Schlereth, who said he “loves” Miller and what he does on the field makes him “giddy,” said he didn’t think the veteran linebacker would come back rusty but missing a workout, even if it’s voluntary, can lead to divisiveness in the locker room.

“Here you are with an opportunity to lead your football team after a guy like DeMarcus Ware retires, and the NBA Championship game is more important than the OTA. That’s not a good thing,” Schlereth said. “And if Von was sitting there or if I was teammates with Von, I’d be like, ‘Dude, I don’t agree with that situation.’”

Miller — who at this point last year was the reigning Super Bowl MVP and negotiating a new six-year, $114.5 million contract with the Broncos — earns $70 million in guaranteed money in his latest deal, which Schlereth said is the kind of money teams give to players who show up for voluntary workouts.

“They gave you $70 million signing bonus so that you didn’t miss Monday OTAs. I know it’s voluntary, but those things, for me, are a bit of a red flag,” Schlereth said. “Now, it probably will mean nothing. In the overall scheme of things, it will mean nothing.

“But what if, all of a sudden, Von starts the season and isn’t playing well in the first three games. Doesn’t compile any numbers. You open yourself up to some criticism.”

Schlereth said, in the end, missing one OTA probably won’t have Miller’s teammates “rolling their eyes,” but that it could be a blow to his credibility.

“What if I don’t show up on time one day, and I’m the guy who’s preaching being on time and working hard? What if I don’t do these things? I lose credibility,” Schlereth said.

“… It’s really hard to gain respect through integrity and character, and it’s a lifelong event. And you’ve got to work on it and work on it and work on it. … You can lose it one stupid act. You can lose a lifetime’s worth of equity that you have built in the character and integrity aspect of life.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.