Von Miller and his agents just perked up.
As Miller and the Denver Broncos argue over guaranteed money, Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox just reset the market. Cox got a six-year, $103 million contract with $63 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That's historic; it's the most guaranteed money for any non-quarterback in NFL history.
Miller was offered six years and $114.5 million but rejected that over guaranteed money, Yahoo's Charles Robinson reported. Miller's gripe is the Broncos offered just $38.5 million guaranteed, and that's the only number that matters in NFL contracts. Cox just got $24.5 million more guaranteed than that. And he doesn't have a Super Bowl MVP award, like Miller does. Cox has been to the Pro Bowl just one time, compared to four Pro Bowls for Miller, and Miller has two All-Pro selections. Cox has never been a first-team All Pro. You'd have to think Broncos general manager John Elway will be reminded of all that soon.
Cox is a very, very good player. He has been fantastic as a 3-4 defensive end, and can be dominant as a tackle in the 4-3 defense the Eagles want to run this season. Cox has 22 sacks in four seasons, including 9.5 last season.
Cox better be dominant for his contract; his guaranteed money surpasses the $60 million the Buffalo Bills gave tackle Marcell Dareus and the $60 million the Miami Dolphins gave Ndamukong Suh. Those were the two highest deals for a defensive player, in terms of guaranteed money, according to Spotrac. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton got $60 million guaranteed, and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson got $61 million guaranteed.
Cox's contract is going to be one that all elite defensive players point to going forward. He got paid like a franchise quarterback after one Pro Bowl in four years. It's a landmark deal, another in a long line of 2016 contracts that have reset the market at just about every position.
And it's a good bet Miller is well aware of the terms of Cox's deal.
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