Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller should be worried. He's an elite player heading into free agency with the franchise tag looming over his head. But for some reason, Miller isn't stressing about his current contract situation. He's remaining optimistic that a long-term deal will get done.
"It feels like I've been here before - we talked about [winning the Super Bowl] so much in the locker room," Miller said via ESPN.com. "At the table where we sit all the time, Emmanuel [Sanders], me, [Aqib] Talib, T.J. [Ward], we talked about it so much. It feels like I've been here before. Chris Harris, all the guys, we've talked about this, dreamed it, in the locker room, it's surreal to be able to experience it.
"We've got plans of doing this again. We don't want it to be a one-year thing."
Miller is arguably the top free agent set to hit the open market this offseason. With 60.0 sacks in 72 career games, Miller has built enough of a resume to demand a contract that could make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. Those types of mammoth deals are always tricky to negotiate, which is why the Broncos have the franchise tag in their back pocket. But Miller said Thursday that he expects to sign a long-term deal with the team.
"I put in all the work I can possibly do," Miller said. "If I was with any other organization, if I was with any other team, maybe I'd be worried about everything, but I've got [executive vice president of football operations/general manager] John Elway. He's played, he's had experience with this whole process. I feel comfortable. Me and John's relationship is great: He was there when I was going through stuff and he never wavered. I feel like we won't waver now either. It will be a great experience, and it will be peaceful - there's no reason for it not to be."
NFL free agency will open in March but Elway and Co. are likely doing everything they can to find an agreeable solution for all involved before then.
