NFL: Broncos make a deadline deal to send their best defender to a new home in LA

Denver, Colorado - The Denver Broncos are cleaning house, sending away one of the NFL's best defensive players to the Los Angeles Rams shortly before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Von Miller was drafted by the Broncos second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Von Miller was drafted by the Broncos second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.  © imago/Icon SMI

Perennial Pro Bowl linebacker and former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller (32) has been traded from the Broncos to the Rams in exchange for a second and third-round pick in next year’s draft.

The deal was made official on Monday even though inklings of the deal spread as early as Sunday night, as reported by ESPN insider Adam Schefter.

Miller has spent his entire career in Denver ever since being drafted by the Broncos second overall in 2011.

From his rookie season on, he quickly became one of the league’s premier defenders, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after his first season, as well as his first of eight Pro Bowl selections.

In just his fifth season, he and the Broncos cruised to the franchise’s third Super Bowl championship with a dominating 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, earning the game’s MVP honor.

Before his trade, he became the team’s career leader in sacks with 110.5.

Miller will join three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, and top-rated cornerback Jalen Ramsey on the Rams defense that’s currently among the league’s top-half so far this season.

He brings to LA an unmatched defensive prowess to a team that already has an intimidating force that will help these Super Bowl contenders even more likely to win the Lombardi trophy in February.

"It’s always tough whenever you leave. I love all my fans. I love Broncos country. When I said Broncos for life, I meant that. It was an honor and a privilege to play here," he told the Associated Press.

Miller’s in the final year of a six-year, $114.1 million contract that currently pays him $17.5 million this season, $9 million of which the Broncos have agreed to pay as part of the deal.

Cover photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

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