Five for Franchising
Von Miller on Tuesday became the fifth player in Denver Broncos franchise history to be hit with the franchise tag – a designation that will keep the Super Bowl MVP in Denver for a year, guarantee him top-five money at his position and give both sides more time to work out a long-term deal.
That seems to be the ultimate goal for the team and the player. Both history and general manager John Elway’s comments back up that sentiment.
“Designating Von as our franchise player gives us the time to continue working toward a long-term agreement,” Elway said via the team website. “We’ve had productive talks with Von’s representation, and we’ll continue those discussions with the goal of making sure Von remains a Bronco well into the future.”
As James Merilatt wrote on Monday, the franchise tag has been essentially a stall tactic for Elway, as all three of his previous franchise tag designations have ultimately signed long-term deals that same year. The fifth predated Elway as GM, but also signed long-term (the following year).
The return on investment on those long-term deals, however, has been less than stellar. In this week’s edition of Power Rankings, we look at which franchise players have proved most valuable once their long-term deals were in place.
No. TBD – Von Miller, LB
Year: 2016
Franchise Tag Value: $14.129 million
Eventual Contract Length: TBD
Total Contract Dollars: TBD
Average Annual Dollars: TBD
Guaranteed Contract Dollars: TBD
Status: Active with Denver
The long-term future for Miller and the Denver Broncos is still to be determined, and his Super Bowl MVP (something no one else on this list can claim) is still fresh in our minds; any ranking other than TBD would be pure speculation at this point. Will he end up released from the team like one player? Struggling with injuries like another? Play short of expectations? Fulfill his contract and eventually retire an all-time great? Or will his own scenario play out completely differently? As head coach Gary Kubiak might say, “We’re fixin’ to find out.”
Salary information via Spotrac.com
No. 4 – Ryan Clady, OT
Year: 2013
Franchise Tag Value: $9.828 million
Eventual Contract Length: 5 years
Total Contract Dollars: $52.5 million
Average Annual Dollars: $10.5 million
Guaranteed Contract Dollars: $15 million + $3 million signing bonus
Status: Active with Denver
Clady has played just 18 of a possible 55 games since signing his $52.5 million contract three years ago. A torn ACL during OTAs in 2015 kept him off the field entirely, while a season-ending Lisfranc surgery derailed 2013 in September. Both those injuries are on top of the one he suffered in April 2010, a knee injury playing pickup basketball. He was a Pro Bowler in 2014, but hasn’t regained the All-Pro form he had in 2009 or 2012. Clady’s earned $33 million since 2013, good for an average of $1.83 million per game he’s played. He’s well-liked among players, coaches and the media, but that’s a high price for a cheerleader.
Salary info via Spotrac.com
No. 3 – Matt Prater, K
Year: 2012
Franchise Tag Value: $2.5 million
Eventual Contract Length: 4 years
Total Contract Dollars: $13 million
Average Annual Dollars: $3.25 million
Guaranteed Contract Dollars: $3 million signing bonus
Status: Released by Denver in 2014; Active with Detroit
After an average year 2012, Prater paid dividends in 2013 by kicking field goals at a 96.2 percent clip on his way to a Pro Bowl nomination. Denver ultimately paid out $6.5 million on Prater’s contract before off-field issues forced the team to release its all-time leader in field goal percentage (minimum 25 attempts) in October 2014. Detroit landed Parter on the cheap (for only $603,529), where he remained in 2015. Denver paid another $11,164 in incentive money to Prater last year. Prater’s up-and-down kicking percentages were much like his personal life off the field. In the end, the downs overshadowed the ups.
Salary info via Spotrac.com
No. 2 – Demaryius Thomas, WR
Year: 2015
Franchise Tag Value: $12.823 million
Eventual Contract Length: 5 years
Total Contract Dollars: $70 million
Average Annual Dollars: $14 million
Guaranteed Contract Dollars: $43.5 million
Status: Active with Denver
Thomas turned in his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season and second 100-reception season in a row, yet fans were somehow disappointed with his performance. A top-three earning wide receiver, Thomas finished seventh in the league in receptions (105) and yards (1,304) but tied for 29th in touchdowns (6) and 62nd in yards per reception (12.4). His nine drops were fifth-most in the league – although his drop percentage was just 5.5. His biggest disappointment, though, came in the playoffs where he caught just seven passes for 60 yards and no touchdowns. With big money comes big expectations, especially in big games. Thomas didn’t deliver when it mattered.
Salary info via Spotrac.com
No. 1 – Jason Elam, K
Year: 2002
Franchise Tag Value: $1.24 million
Eventual Contract Length: 5 years
Total Contract Dollars: $9 million
Average Annual Dollars: $1.8 million
Guaranteed Contract Dollars: $2.675 million signing bonus
Status: Completed contract with Denver; signed with Atlanta as a free agent in 2008; released by Atlanta; retired in 2010
Elam earned his long-term payday in 2003 when Denver inked him to a five-year deal. The greatest kicker in franchise history finished out the whole term of the deal, making 85.4 percent of the 157 field goals and 99.5 percent of the extra points the team asked him to make over that stretch. He eventually signed with Atlanta when Denver would not guarantee him more than one year on a new contract. A difficult final year in 2009 led to his release. Elam signed a ceremonial contract to retire with the Broncos in 2010 and awaits a possible spot in the Ring of Fame.
Salary information via Scout.com