Stokley: Broncos could use Von Miller restructure money internally
Mar 16, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: 9:07 am
The Denver Broncos freed up some cap space on Thursday by converting $16 million of linebacker Von Miller’s $18.5 million base salary in 2018 into a signing bonus, effectively giving the team $12.375 million in flexibility this season.
Both Zach Bye and Brandon Stokley, co-hosts of “Stokley and Zach,” lauded the move on Thursday, but two days into free agency questioned the timing of the restructure.
“The timing of this seems a little bit different. I would have expected this to happen last week going into free agency,” Bye said.
Stokley agreed, saying, “You would want to get this move done before free agency starts so you could have this type of money if you wanted to go get Nate Solder or if you wanted to go get another big-ticket name out there.
“You would have this money available to do that. So, to do it right now …”
Stokley theorized the Broncos may have wanted the money to potentially retain some of its own big-name players set to hit free agency in the next few years. Players like cornerback Bradley Roby, center Matt Paradis, and linebacker Shaq Barrett.
“You don’t have to spend it right now. You hold to it for a little bit,” Stokley said. “You go through the football season. You’re seeing how your team is developing.”
The Broncos reportedly placed a second-round tender on Barrett and Paradis, both restricted free agents this offseason, netting the duo $2.9 million for 2018.
Roby, a first-round draft pick by Denver in 2014, heads into the final year of his rookie contract in 2018.
So, if the Broncos want to wrap up any or all of those players long term, Stokley said, the money from Miller’s restructure could be used there.
“If they want a contract extension, that is friendly to (the team), a ‘hometown discount’ type of deal, then maybe you work with those guys and try to get those deals done during the season,” Stokley said.
Otherwise, Stokley said Denver could possibly still be targeting a “big-ticket” name in free agency, like defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
“There are still names out there, good players. So, maybe they’re trying to go get one of those players,” Stokley said.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
