Written By TROY E. RENCK at Denver Post.com
In the days before inside linebacker Brandon Marshall elevated his status to a Broncos core player — going from a former member of the practice squad to signing a four-year, $32-million contract extension Tuesday — he rode a roller coaster of emotions.
He briefly considered not reporting to the Broncos offseason workouts to exercise leverage. But he shook his head at the thought, admitting he could never let his teammates or linebacker coach Reggie Herring down. His high school retired his No. 21 jersey, he received a day in his honor in North Las Vegas and delivered the commencement address to Cimarron High School last week. Nowhere were his past and present more connected.
“‘If’ you believe, and if you push through that tired and defeated feeling. You will jump over any hurdle you come across,” Marshall told the 500-plus students. “And I guarantee you will be the most successful you that you can be.”
The Broncos rewarded Marshall for living out his message, signing him to an extension that begins in 2017 and runs through 2020. The deal includes a $10 million signing bonus and $20 million guaranteed, making him the seventh highest-paid inside linebacker and securing him as a franchise cornerstone moving forward. Marshall will play under his second-round tender of $2.533 million this season.
“This means everything to me,” Marshall said. “It means everything to me to be a Bronco. I think it shows they respect my professionalism and how I go about my job. They respect me as a player. I really don’t know what to say. It’s really hard to believe.”
The Broncos have been attempting to secure outside linebacker Von Miller on a long-term deal while engaging in contract talks with Marshall and receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who recently received an offer from Denver that has spiked optimism he might follow in Marshall’s footsteps.
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