ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Von Miller is staying in Denver.
After much public speculation as to Miller's future with the Broncos, the team has informed Miller that it will pick up the option on his contract to keep him in orange and blue through the 2021 season.
Since the Broncos drafted Miller with the second-overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the star pass-rusher has developed into exactly the kind of game-changing terror that every NFL team hopes to cement as the foundation of their defense.
He began his career by setting a franchise rookie record with 11.5 sacks, which earned him NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. His sophomore effort was even better, as he set the Broncos' single-season sack record with 18.5 quarterback takedowns.
After a 2013 season in which he played just nine games before suffering an ACL tear, Miller bounced back and returned to Pro Bowl form in 2014 with 14 sacks as he combined with DeMarcus Ware to shape a dominant edge-rushing tandem.
In 2015, the promise that pairing held came to fruition as Denver's defense led the team to a Super Bowl 50 title. During the postseason, Miller emerged as a nationally known figure behind a 2.5-sack game to take down Tom Brady in the AFC Championship and then a Super Bowl MVP performance against regular-season MVP Cam Newton and the Panthers.
In the three years that followed, Miller kept up his pace and continued to earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades annually. In 2018, Miller became the team's all-time sack leader with his seventh double-digit sack season in the first eight years of his career.
Miller's 2019 season was a bit of a step back as he recorded just eight sacks, but with renewed vigor and focus during the offseason, the 10-year veteran dedicated himself to once again proving himself as the league's best pass-rusher in 2020.
Just before Week 1, Miller suffered what would be a season-ending ankle injury. Though he would begin his on-field rehab late in the year with hopes of potentially returning, he never got the chance.
Miller's expected return for the 2021 season may now finally deliver on one of the long-held goals under Fangio's tenure — to see Miller and Chubb working in concert for a full season together leading the defensive-minded coach's unit.
Because of the ankle injury to Miller and Chubb's ACL tear in 2019, the two have played together in Fangio's defense in just four games.
Now, perhaps, that potential will become reality.
"Von proved that nobody in this league can block him one-on-one, he can have his way and do whatever he wants in this league and get sacks on whoever he wants," Chubb said in January. "He's the prototypical outside linebacker, so I feel like with a guy like that, we can show what we can do. Unfortunately, these past two years, these injuries have taken away from us as an organization. With us on the field, it's going to be huge."
On Tuesday morning, Miller reaffirmed his devotion to staying in Denver in an Instagram post.
"I have totally bought into being a Coloradoan for life, let alone a Denver Bronco," Miller wrote. "I want to be here forever through the thick, the thin, the Super Bowl seasons, the losing seasons. I want to be here forever."
Throughout his career in Denver, Von Miller has become almost as well known for his sack dances as for his incredible talent as a pass-rusher.
Denver Broncos Von Miller (58) salutes the fans after producing a sack for a 13-yard loss in fourth quarter action against the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL game September 18, 2011 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver,CO.
Denver Broncos Von Miller (58) celebrates after sacking the Miami Dolphins quarterback, Matt Moore (8) in the third quarter of the NFL game October 23rd, 2011 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, FL.
Denver Broncos Von Miller celebrates his 11th sack of the season during third quarter action against the Chicago Bears in the NFL game on December 11, 2011 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO.
Denver Broncos Von Miller (58) celebrates after sacking the New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the third quarter of the NFL game December 18, 2011 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus/The Denver Broncos)
Denver,CO - September 9, 2012 - Sports Authority Field: Denver Broncos Von Miller #58 reacts after sacking Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger #7 in fourth quarter action against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates his sack of Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan (2) for an 11 yard loss during fourth quarter action in the NFL game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta,GA . September 17, 2012.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates his sack of Cincinnati Bengals Andy Dalton (14) for an 8 yard loss during second quarter action in the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH November 4, 2012.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack of quarterback Cam Newton during first quarter action against the Carolina Panthers in the NFL game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on November 11, 2012.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58), dances after sacking San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during second quarter action against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus)
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack during third quarter action against the Cleveland Browns in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on December 23, 2012.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after sacking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn (9) during third quarter action against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Dec. 30, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus)
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack during overtime action against the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL AFC Divisional Playoff game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on January 12, 2013.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates his sack of New England Patriots Tom Brady (12) for a 6 yard loss during second quarter action in the NFL game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA November 24, 2013.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack during fourth quarter action against the Tennessee Titans in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on December 8, 2013.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates his sack of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) for 10 yard loss during second quarter action against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field October 5, 2014.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) dances after sacking San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during fourth quarter action against the San Francisco 49ers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, October 19, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack during third quarter action against the Oakland Raiders in the NFL game at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, CA on November 9, 2014.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates his sack of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) for a 6 yard loss with 1:56 remaining in the NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City , MO November 30, 2014.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after a sack during second quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during first quarter action against in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO, August 29, 2015.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after a sack during second quarter action against the Minnesota Vikings during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, October 04, 2015. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates his sack of Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) forcing a fumble and a 9-yard loss during first quarter action in the NFL game at Denver, Colo. December 13, 2015. (© Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during third quarter action against the New England Patriots during the AFC Conference Championship Playoff NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, January 24, 2016. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a strip-sack returned for a touchdown during first quarter action against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, February 7, 2016. Photo by Ben Hays.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) during first quarter action against the Los Angeles Rams during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, August 27, 2016. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) reacts after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during fourth quarter action against the Carolina Panthers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, September 08, 2016. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after sacking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) during fourth quarter action against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, November 27, 2016. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after a sack during first quarter action against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, August 26, 2017. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) dances after sacking Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during first quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at New Era Field in Orchard Park, NY, September 24, 2017. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) reacts after sacking Oakland Raiders quarterback EJ Manuel (3) during fourth quarter action against the Oakland Raiders during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile high in Denver, Colo., October 01, 2017. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after a sack against the Miami Dolphins during the game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, December 03, 2017. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Von Miller celebrates a second half sack against the New York Jets during the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver Colo. December 10, 2017.(Photo: © Eric Lars Bakke)
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) action during the NFL preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, August 24, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) reacts after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colo., September 09, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) reacts after a strip sack and fumble recovery during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Colorado, October 18, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) dances after a sack during third quarter action against the Houston Texans during the game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, November 04, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) reacts after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) giving Von Miller the most sacks in Broncos history during third quarter action against the Cleveland Browns during the NFL game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, December 15, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after a sack during the NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 17, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) dances after sacking Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, December 29, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
