Written by Frank Schwab at YahooSports.com
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 gaveNdamukong 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 Seahawksquarterback 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.
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