DENVER — The Broncos were among several teams who expressed interest in Aldon Smith before the oft-troubled, mega-talented edge rusher signed with the Dallas Cowboys last week, league sources told 9NEWS.
There was mutual interest between Smith and the Broncos as head coach Vic Fangio was his defensive coordinator during the outside linebacker’s best years in San Francisco, and he’s been good friends with Broncos’ star Von Miller since they were both first-round picks in the 2011 Draft.
The Broncos made a vet-minimum/incentive-laden offer to Smith, although it fell well short of the deal he got from the Cowboys. Given Smith’s checkered past, his agent Ron Slavin did well to get a one-year, $2 million contract from Dallas with the chance to make another $2 million in incentives.
Smith also told Jay Glazer of Fox Sports that a strong bond formed with Cowboys’ new head coach Mike McCarthy at a gym starting in January, and his longtime relationship with Cowboys and former 49ers defensive line coach Jim Tomsula were big factors in choosing Dallas to resurrect his career.
Miller was the No. 2 overall pick by the Broncos in 2011 and Smith was the No. 7 overall choice of the 49ers.
Under Fangio’s guidance, Smith was so good early in his NFL career, he outproduced Miller each of their first three years.
Seasons … Player … Sacks
2011-13 … Smith … 42.0
2011-13 … Miller … 35.0
Smith’s 33.5 sacks through his first two seasons set an NFL record. (Miller had 30.0 sacks through the same two seasons).
But then both players ran into serious off-field problems in 2013. And that’s where they went different directions.
Miller rebounded from his six-game suspension in 2013 to become Super Bowl 50 MVP and draw an NFL defensive player record six-year, $114.5 million contract; Smith continued to struggle with alcohol and has not played since November 2015.
Seasons … Player … Sacks
2014-19 … Smith … 5.5
2014-19 … Miller … 71.0
Smith has been sober for 9 months and is getting another chance.
Although the Broncos have one of the NFL’s most talented pass-rushing duos in Miller and Bradley Chubb, they could have used some insurance. Miller is coming off a down year with 8.0 sacks and just turned 31, and Chubb is recovering from ACL surgery that caused him to miss most of last season.
Backing up Miller and Chubb as Broncos outside linebackers are veteran Jeremiah Attaochu, who just re-signed with Denver on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, and second-year players Malik Reed and Justin Hollins.
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