ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When the Broncos traded Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams in early November, General Manager George Paton emphasized that both Miller and the Broncos could benefit from the deal.
Miller would get a chance to compete with a team that was vying for a championship, while the Broncos would get a pair of Day 2 picks that would help Denver move forward. Paton said at the time that the Broncos wanted to "do right" by Miller — and that's certainly been the case since the trade. With Miller on their side, the Rams won the NFC West and will represent the NFC on Sunday in Super Bowl LVI.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, Paton told DenverBroncos.com that the trade has worked out how he hoped.
"I think that's what you're looking for when you're doing a trade of that magnitude — a win-win," Paton said. "I spent a lot of time with [Rams GM] Les Snead and the Rams going through that trade, and we just talked about, 'It's going to be a win-win. Von's gonna help you get you to where you want to go. We're going to get some draft capital to help us get where we want to go.'"
The Broncos' two picks from the Rams — a 2022 second-rounder and 2022 third-rounder — won't come until late in the respective rounds, but Denver's five picks in the first three rounds will give them flexibility as they build toward 2022. With those five picks, the Broncos could select five impact players — or package some or all of those picks for a bigger move.
Miller, meanwhile, has a chance to win another world championship.
"I'm so happy for Von," Paton said. "I texted him after the [NFC Championship] game, he texted me back. And he deserves it, to get to another Super Bowl. Couldn't be more happy for him and his family."
Miller said Monday that he's appreciative that Paton sent him to a team that could contend for a title.
"I think George Paton, he was looking out for me," Miller said. "You don't ever want to be traded, but George, he could've sent me anywhere. He could've sent me to any team in the NFL. I'm sure he could've gotten more from other teams. They paid the majority of my salary so I could come to the LA Rams. They sent me to a contender for a Super Bowl. I would tell him, 'Thank you.' I always felt like it was more than just a football relationship with him. It definitely shows the way they treated me. Even on my way out, they were thinking about the best situation for me."
On Sunday, Paton will be rooting for Miller once again. As the Rams take on the Bengals, Paton said he hopes Miller posts another phenomenal performance.
"I'll be pulling for him," Paton said. "[I] hope he gets three sacks and is the player of the game for the Super Bowl. That's how much I respect and like Von."
