Von Miller deal with Broncos unlikely by Tuesday; franchise tag looms

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Sunday, February 28, 2016

Star linebacker Von Miller is not expected to reach a long-term deal with the Denver Broncos before Tuesday's deadline for teams to use franchise tags, a source close to the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

If no deal is reached, Miller would get the Broncos' franchise tag.

Teams can designate one franchise player and that player, if he signs the tendered offer, earns a one-year guaranteed salary that is the average of the top players at his position. For a linebacker like Miller, that will be $14.129 million for 2016.

The Broncos and representatives for Miller have been trying to negotiate a long-term deal. Executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway met with Miller's agent, Joby Branion, on Friday at the combine.

Miller said last week that he expected talks with the Broncos to be "peaceful," and he believed a long-term contract would get worked out. Elway said at the combine that the Broncos have exchanged multiple proposals with Miller's representatives since the Broncos' win in Super Bowl 50, after which Miller was named the game's MVP with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

"I'm excited about it," Elway said Thursday. "...So far it's been good, we're in the ballpark, at least I believe so ... I think we're in the ballpark ... he's a guy we're going to keep around."

Once Denver uses the franchise tag on Miller, quarterback Brock Osweiler and defensive end Malik Jackson would be poised to hit the free-agent market.

Information from ESPN.com Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold was used in this report.

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