Last month, the talks between the Broncos and linebacker Von Miller became very public. With the deadline for doing a long-term deal getting closer and closer, the talks have become very private.
Private as in silent. As in no one is sharing any specifics about the talks.
The Broncos, per a source with knowledge of the situation, are hopeful that a deal will be done, and they believe that a lot of progress has been made. However, neither team nor player have leaked anything since reports emerged over the weekend that the Broncos moved the trigger for converting injury-only guarantees to full guarantees from March 2018 to March 2017 and that they increased the total guarantee from $58 million to $61 million.
It’s unclear whether team and player agreed to stop talking or whether it just happened. It’s possible that, given Miller’s reaction to some of the tactics employed by the team in June, Miller’s camp has decided step back and watch the team dance on the edge of the cliff.
Regardless, it’s quiet. And it’s not as if people aren’t trying to find out what’s happening.
Here’s one thing that’s apparently not happening. The two sides still aren’t truly negotiating. Instead, the Broncos will make an offer and Miller’s camp will respond and that back and forth will continue without meaningful engagement aimed at resolving any lingering differences.
Miller’s camp has interpreted that as an effort by the organization to impose its will on the player. It may have worked for other players, but it hasn’t worked for Miller. Unless the team’s will at some point matches what Miller wants, it may never work.
Either way, we’ll know more by 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday.