Von Miller 'Ready To Play Football' As Broncos Training Camp Begins
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - Von Miller talked publicly for the first time Wednesday since the Super Bowl MVP and the Denver Broncos reached a long-term deal.
"I'm ready to go, I'm ready to play football," said Miller at Broncos headquarters on Wednesday. "I'm excited."
The Broncos announced on July 15 that the star linebacker signed a six-year contract. The agreement came after Miller skipped out the entire offseason while negotiations were going on.
"I'm aware of the expectations and we have high expectations for all of us," said Miller. "I'm ready to get back to work."
The deal is worth a reported $114 million with $70 million in guarantees. It makes Miller the highest paid defensive player in the history of the NFL and is second across the league only to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.
"I never got too far away from working out, I worked out the same as I would during the season. I feel like I'm in shape," said Miller. "I feel totally confident in my ability to get back on the field."
Earlier in the day the Broncos tweeted out a selfie by Miller with the words: "Time. To. Get. To. Work."
Miller addressed his the contract negotiations, which were contentious at times. He said he had great respect for Elway and is happy with the way things turned out.
"I just wanted to be a Bronco for life," said Miller. "I feel like we got that done. You know, business is business but ultimately I wanted to be a Denver Bronco at the end of the day."
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Miller had said all along he wanted to return to the Broncos, but stated he wouldn't play under the franchise tag.
The Super Bowl MVP recorded 11 sacks and 35 tackles in 2015 and excelled in the postseason, recording 2.5 sacks in the AFC Championship game followed by another 2.5 sack performance in the Super Bowl where he also forced two fumbles.
Miller also talked about playing without Peyton Manning.
"You can never replace Peyton Manning," said Miller. "No one player can just step up and replace Peyton."
Broncos training camp begins Thursday.
