One of the few certainties when it comes to the Super Bowl is that the MVP will be an offensive player, and it’s close to a lock that it will be one of the two quarterbacks.
But the Denver Broncos have a notable exception to that rule. Ten years ago, when they won the Super Bowl with their devastating Orange Crush defense, it was Von Miller who was named MVP.
The game was memorable for multiple reasons, but that was one of the major ones. The other was the status of then-Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who was struggling with nerve issues in his neck that severely limited his ability to throw. Anything over ten yards was close to a wounded duck, so it became obvious that Miller and his mates on the other side of the ball would have to win this game for Denver.
They did that and then some. The Broncos basically destroyed Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newtown, who spent his evening with plenty of company in the pocket. Miller had 2.5 sacks in the game, including two strip sacks, one of which has become a replay staple for Broncos fans, as Newton lost the ball but was slow to fall on it, a play for which he still gets deservedly ripped to this day. The Broncos ended up winning, 24-10.
The Broncos commemorated the achievements of that team earlier in the season, and Miller is one of the few players from that season who’s still in action. He’s become a go-to-player for top contending teams teams that want to rent a pass rusher for a year, but Miller hasn’t been able to get his ring yet.
He did express a desire to make a return to Denver, however. Miller very much admired the way this year’s team played defense, and he spoke glowingly about players like linebacker Nik Bonitto, defensive tackle Zach Allen and shutdown corner Pat Surtain II. The current defense plays with that level of spirit and ferocity, so he'd fit right in.
It probably won’t happen, at least in part because Miller would have to play for a veteran minimum salary, which seems unlikely. Coach Sean Payton and GM George Payton didn’t bite on the possibility when Miller made his comments, but the possibility of the popular Miller making this kind of return and joining this season’s sack-happy bunch is a fun fantasy to think about in a year in which the Broncos got within a field goal of making it to the Super Bowl.