Broncos Offer Von Miller Record $70 Million

By ESPN

With the deadline for a long-term deal looming, the Denver Broncos have offered star middle linebacker Von Miller a record $70 million guaranteed as part of a six-year, $114.5 million deal, which the sides had agreed to in June, a source said.

That would make Miller the highest-paid nonquarterback in NFL history based on guaranteed money as well as the highest-paid player in Denver franchise history.

A source familiar with the talks said Thursday night that he was "optimistic'' the deal will get done by the 4 p.m. ET Friday deadline for designated franchise players to sign long-term deals.

Two executives from teams other than the Broncos said Thursday that Miller "would have to take it.''

The Broncos and Miller's agent, Joby Branion, had no substantive talks Thursday, but they are expected to re-engage Friday morning, a source said. The two sides had agreed to the basic framework of the deal -- six years, $114.5 million -- in June, and after a negotiating respite in recent weeks, they have since traded proposals about the guaranteed money.

Quarterback Andrew Luck's recently signed extension with the Indianapolis Colts included an NFL record $87 million in guaranteed money. The highest amount for a non-QB currently belongs to defensive end Fletcher Cox, who got $63.3 million guaranteed from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Raven's Tucker Frustrated With Negotiations

Ravens franchise kicker Justin Tucker has grown frustrated enough with negotiations that he is vowing not to re-sign with Baltimore after this season if the two sides do not have a long-term deal in place by Friday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

"Justin's disillusioned with the process right now and the Ravens' position with him on his contract," Tucker's agent, Rob Roche, said Thursday. "If we don't get a long-term deal done by Friday, Justin will not entertain offers from [the] Ravens after the season."

There was hope of progress recently. However, that hope dissipated Thursday, when the Ravens provided Tucker with an offer that actually paid him less than their prior offers and less than Mason Crosby of the Packers.

The franchise tag for kickers this season is $4.5 million, which Tucker would be playing for if the two sides are unable to get a long-term deal done by Friday. But based on how events go between now and Friday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, it could turn out to be the last year Tucker is contractually tied to Baltimore. The Ravens could keep Tucker in 2017 if they sign him again. A second tag would roughly cost the Ravens $5.4 million.

Tucker, the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history, received the Ravens' franchise tag Feb. 26 and signed it March 4.