Advertisement

Von Miller, Justin Tucker, Muhammad Wilkerson get deals before franchise tag deadline

By The Sports Xchange
Super Bowl MVP Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller raises the Lombardi trophy at Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 7, 2016. Denver wins Super Bowl 50 defeating Carolina 24-10. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Super Bowl MVP Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller raises the Lombardi trophy at Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 7, 2016. Denver wins Super Bowl 50 defeating Carolina 24-10. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Denver Broncos outside linebacker and Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller became the NFL's highest-paid defensive player on Friday after agreeing to a six-year, $114.5 million deal.

A record $70 million is guaranteed in the contract, which came hours before the NFL's deadline for franchise players at 4 p.m. ET. The sides came to the final numbers of the pact last month with only the guaranteed money serving as the sticking point.

Advertisement

Baltimore Ravens franchise-tagged kicker Justin Tucker agreed to terms on a four-year contract. The New York Jets and defenseman end Muhammad Wilkerson also reached agreement on a long-term contract.

Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins did not come to terms with the team on a long-term deal and will play the 2016 season under the franchise tag. The same goes for Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Berry, Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson.

Advertisement

Miller's guaranteed money is eclipsed by only that of Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck, who will receive $75 million in guarantees in his $140 million contract extension.

"I'm super happy and excited to be back with my teammates for the next six years. This is something I really wanted - to stay with the Denver Broncos," Miller said. "I am so appreciative and grateful for this opportunity. I want to thank (owner Pat) Bowlen, (team president) Joe Ellis, (general manager) John Elway and Coach (Gary) Kubiak for making this possible. I'm also thankful for the way my teammates and our fans have supported me. I'm excited for the future and ready to get back to work."

Miller gets a $23 million signing bonus and $42 million guaranteed at signing, $61 million guaranteed after the second year and $70 million guaranteed after the third year of the deal, according to ESPN sources.

The deal makes the 27-year-old Miller the highest-paid defensive player by average at $19.083 million per year. It is also the richest contract at any position other than quarterback.

"Von's earned this contract not only for what he's done in the past but for what we believe he'll do in the future. This was a long process that ended the way we all wanted - with Von being part of the Denver Broncos for many more years," Elway said. "Our team had a tremendous year last season, and the way Von performed the final few weeks was such a big part of our Super Bowl run.

Advertisement

"Going forward, we expect great things from Von not only on the field but with the responsibility he has as a leader on the team. I'm proud of how we've handled this situation and give credit to everyone on our staff who helped get this done."

Franchise-tagged players must sign a long-term deal or make the average of top-five salaries of their position for this year if the deadline is not met.

Miller received the exclusive franchise tag on March 1 after finishing last season with 11 sacks and four forced fumbles. The four-time Pro Bowl selection added 2 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles to help the Broncos defeat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

Tucker's deal was reported by ESPN to be worth $16.8 million -- with $10.8 million in guaranteed salary.

"Justin has become a cornerstone for our team, and we are happy to get this contract completed," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement. "What is good for the Ravens right now is that we have our Pro Bowl special teams group - Sam (Koch), Morgan (Cox) and Justin - signed through the next three seasons."

Advertisement

The deal came one day after Tucker's agent threatened that the 26-year-old would play elsewhere in 2017 should Baltimore use the franchise tag on him.

A Pro Bowl selection in 2013, Tucker is 130-for-148 from field-goal range during his career since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in the previous season. The 87.8 percent conversion rate trails only Dallas' Dan Bailey during that time period.

Tucker made 29-of-30 field-goal attempts from inside 50 yards last season and drilled three game-winning kicks as well.

The NFL Network reported that Wilkerson's deal is for five years and approximately $85 million. The 26-year-old Wilkerson confirmed the length of the contract in a video released on the Jets' Twitter account.

Wilkerson initially received the team's non-exclusive franchise tag on March 1 on the heels of his first Pro Bowl selection last year. He collected a career-best 12 sacks before breaking his right leg in the final contest.

Selected with the 30th overall pick of the 2011 draft, Wilkerson has recorded 36.5 sacks and 303 tackles in 77 career games.

Cousins will make $19.95 million next season and will be the first quarterback to play on the franchise tag since Drew Brees with the San Diego Chargers in 2005.

Advertisement

Cousins, 27, has been a starter in the NFL for just one season, but he was impressive in that role for the Redskins - especially late in the campaign.

He started all 16 regular-season games for the Redskins last season, throwing for 4,166 yards with 29 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. In the final 10 games of the 2016 season, Cousins threw 23 touchdown passes with just three interceptions.

Berry, 27, will play out the year under the $10.8 million franchise tag, then become a free agent after the season.

The news does not come as a surprise because the two sides reportedly were far apart in negotiations leading up to the deadline.

Last season, Berry made a comeback from Hodgkin's lymphoma, which kept him out of the 2014 season. He was named Comeback Player of the Year earlier this year after being named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time.

Jeffery will play the 2016 season for $14,599,000. Failing to reach a long-term deal increased the likelihood that Jeffery, 26, will sign with another team when he becomes a free agent after the season.

Jeffery did not participate in the Bears' organized team activities and worked out on his own in Florida. He did participate in a mandatory minicamp.

Advertisement

Jeffery had a variety of injuries last season that limited his playing time. He missed all four exhibition games after suffering a calf injury, and missed the final few games of the season with a hamstring problem.

In just nine games last season, he caught 54 passes for 807 yards and four touchdowns.

Johnson will make slightly less than $14 million this season playing with the franchise tag.

Last season, Johnson started 13 games for the Rams, racking up seven interceptions, including one pick-six. He added 17 pass deflections.

Latest Headlines