Von Miller agrees to new, 6-year deal with Denver Broncos

DENVER, Colo. -- The defending Super Bowl champions will return in 2016-2017 with one of the National Football League's elite defensemen after the Denver Broncos and Von Miller came to a deal.

Miller tweeted the news with two words: FOR LIFE.

FOR LIFE pic.twitter.com/ayvzpJ1WZh

— Von Miller (@Millerlite40) July 15, 2016

The two parties inked a long-term agreement with Miller, who racked up 35 tackles and 11 sacks in the 2015-2016 season, on the final day before negotiations would no longer be possible. Miller had previously said he would not play under an exclusive franchise tag.

It's generally agreed upon that a stoic defense propped up a flagging offense for the Broncos, especially as now retired quarterback Peyton Manning suffered injuries through the final stretch of 2015.

But just as Manning returned to help his team hoist the Lombardi Trophy in the 50th Super Bowl in a victory, Miller continued his Herculean efforts to put the nail in the coffin with two forced fumbles and two and a half sacks in the final victory against the Carolina Panthers alone.

Without Miller, the defensive side of the Broncos team would be a less toothy image, so re-signing the veteran was key as the team looks forward to defending its title.

The Broncos didn't disclose the terms of the deal. However, the NFL Network is reporting the agreement is a six-year, $114 million deal with $70 million guaranteed.

The deal surpasses the $63 million in guarantees secured by the only other defensive player in the league to come close to Miller's contract -- Philadelphia's Fletcher Cox.

Miller is now the highest-paid defensive player in the league. 

"Elway continued his trend of signing franchise-tag players to long-term deals, as Miller joins WR Demaryius Thomas (2015), T Ryan Clady (2013) and K Matt Prater (2012)," the Broncos said on the team's website.