Von Miller was unable to resist the temptation to trade as he walked past the photo gallery that captures great moments at the Denver Broncos headquarters.
Cam Newton grabbed the Lombardi Trophy five years, nine months ago, and the featured shot shows him kicking the ball.
On a Monday morning, a choked up Miller stated “Always Have Super Bowl 50,” as snowflakes danced in the Cadillac Escalade’s back window. He then melted his tie-dye hoodie.
“Seeing the photos as I walked out made me cry,”
Miller is no more the face of the franchise.
In a surprising trade, the eloquent linebacker will be heading West to join Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams) and Jalen Ramsey (Los Angeles Rams).
Miller said, “It’s all kinds of new,” but insisted that he hadn’t asked out. “I’m on the way to L.A.”
A Super Bowl contender is waiting.
“Great team. Miller stated, “I have been a big fan of Aaron Donald for a while.” They’ve got a great defense. Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd and all these guys. “I’m excited.”
Two sources familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that both the Rams and Broncos will send the Broncos’ second-and third-round picks in 2022 for the Pro Bowler.
The Broncos are also buying $9 million of the remaining $9.722 millions on his contract.
Miller’s trophy case contains his Super Bowl 50 MVP award, which he won for leading Denver to victory over Carolina 24-10. This was after he won the 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
He is a eight-time Pro Bowl selection, seven-time AP All-Pro, and a member the league’s All-Decade Team 2010. He is the Broncos’ most prolific sack-maker with 110 1/2 in the regular season, and another 6 1/2 in playoffs.
Miller stated, “It’s difficult to put the emotions in words.” It’s always hard to leave. All my fans are special to me. I love Broncos country. Broncos are my life. It was an honor to be able to play here.
“John Elway picked me. It has changed my life. Since then, I’ve been able to play alongside Champ Bailey, Champ Bailey, Champ Ware, Brian Dawkins and Tim Tebow. It’s hard to describe.
It was summarized by the Rams quite succinctly.
“We’re all in,” tweeted the Rams (7-1), along with a meme featuring actor John Malkovich splashing some cash at the poker table.
It looks like the Broncos (four-4) are folding their hands.
Miller was watching from the sidelines because of a sprained ankle that he said would be fine next weekend. The Broncos beat Washington 17-10 Sunday to avoid their first October winless since 1967.
It took two defensive stops to win the game in the last minute as the Broncos failed to make their final possession after safety Justin Simmons’ seemingly game-saving interception at the end zone with 49 seconds remaining.
Between Teddy Bridgewater throwing an incompletion that stopped the clock with 32 seconds remaining and Washington saving Washington a timeout with Washington still in his grasp, the Broncos lost two more, losing the second one at their 24, with 21 seconds remaining.
Miller was able to say goodbye to his team in that way.
The once-proud franchise has been plagued by ineptitude at quarterback, poor offensive play-calling, draft failures, and free-agent flops. It is now mired in the longest period of mediocrity since 1960.
Miller stated, “This team, it’s going to start winning soon.” “I wanted to be part of it to fix.”
Miller joins the Rams team with a record of 7-1, which is tied with the Packers’ and Cardinals’. The path to the Super Bowl, at the Rams’ Inglewood, California, home, SoFi Stadium, is much more difficult in the NFC, with Dallas at 6-1, and defending champion Tampa Bay at 6-2.
Only one AFC team has more wins than Tennessee, which is 6-2. However, Derrick Henry, Tennessee’s cornerstone, was just hurt and has lost his win streak to the foot. Sunday’s matchup between the Titans and Rams is at Titans Stadium.
Miller is expected to be back in the Rams’ lineup shortly after he was sidelined by a left ankle injury.
He said, “I was close last weekend.”
Miller is in his final year of his contract. He was disabled last year due to a dislocated tendon in his ankle. Miller made a big comeback in September, when he won the AFC Defensive Players of the Month award.
Miller, despite a quiet October, was still considered a great contender as Tuesday’s trade deadline neared.
Miller’s departure means that kicker Brandon McManus will be the last member of the 2015 team. This is thanks to Miller’s unforgettable performance, which cemented his legacy of being one of the best pass rushers of his generation.
Miller was awarded a record-breaking six-year contract worth $114.1 Million that will pay him $17.5 million this year.
The Broncos could have kept Miller, and allowed him to leave in free agency at the end of the season. They would have received a fifth-round compensatory draft in 2022.
Miller will be joined by fellow stars Donald and Ramsey in LA. This is the kind of talent that Miller hasn’t had since Manning’s four-seasons as a Bronco threat to the Super Bowl during Manning’s four seasons in Denver, 2012-15.
Wade Phillips, a former Broncos and Rams defensive coach, said Miller was a better fit for L.A.’s 3-4 defensive scheme. He should be a shining star in sunny California.
Miller, 32, has been thinking all year about how he would love to play more seasons in Denver and elsewhere. Miller, 32, recently became a father. He said that he would like to see his son play in a few more years.
He refused to worry about his football future and said he was at peace with what happens.
Miller, before he opened his window, said that someone once told him to make God laugh. “Had many beautiful years here. “Had a lot great memories here.”
