The Denver Broncos made good on their word Thursday and picked up the fifth-year contract option on linebacker Von Miller, according to the Denver Post. The second overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Miller is now scheduled to make $9.754 million in 2015.
Reports throughout the offseason had indicated that the Broncos intended to extend Miller's contract — even while he missed six games last season to an NFL suspension for violating its substance-abuse policy. Reportedly, one more violation would lead to a one-year suspension.
Yet tacking the fifth year to the end of his rookie contract never seemed to be in doubt — unlike the case of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Aldon Smith, taken seventh overall in that draft. Smith also has had legal troubles, including a four-week stay in treatment after a DUI arrest, current charges involving DUI and weapons possession, and an arrest at Los Angeles International Airport last month.
The 49ers had not tipped their hand about picking up Smith's option, and reports have said they were undecided about it as recently as last week. The deadline for picking up the option for the 2011 first-round picks is Saturday.
Miller has 35 sacks in 40 career games, including 18.5 in 2012, and five in nine games last season, when he tore his ACL late in the season and missed the playoffs and Super Bowl.