John Elway "loves" Von Miller, talks contract in phone call

DENVER, July 6 (UPI) -- Next Friday marks the deadline for the Denver Broncos to lock up Super Bowl MVP Von Miller.

If it doesn't sign him to a long-term deal, he has threatened to sit out for the season.

On Tuesday, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported: "members of the team's brass, including general manager John Elway, reached out to Miller's representatives to open dialogue."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Broncos general manager and Miller talked on the phone for 10 to 15 minutes over the weekend. Elway wanted Miller to know the Broncos "still love him and still want to re-sign him," according to Schefter.

Last month, NFL.com reported that Miller rejected a deal that would have made him the NFL's highest paid defensive player. Miller can hold out if the two parties don't reach an agreement by the July 15 deadline, set by the collective bargaining agreement. Miller could play the 2016 season under the $14.129 million franchise tag.

Currently, the parties are working with a six-year, $114.5 million framework, according to multiple reports. Miller allegedly turned down that deal due to the way the guaranteed money was structured to be paid.

"Miller was irate at the Broncos for what he felt was to smear his name by revealing the contract number," Mike Klis and Erin Powell reported for KUSA last month. Miller followed that notion up by saying there was "no chance" he would play 2016 under the franchise tag, on his Instagram.

Miller had 11 sacks and four forced fumbles last season. The four-time Pro-Bowl selection has 60 career sacks. He had 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in the team's Super Bowl 50 victory against the Carolina Panthers.