On the heels of winning Super Bowl 50 MVP, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is in line to cash in as a top-flight free agent. The team assigned the exclusive franchise tag to Miller, with the idea a long-term deal can eventually be worked out, but a recent report is suggesting things could get ugly.

The Broncos have reportedly offered Miller $18 million per season in a new deal. But Jason Cole of Bleacher Report has indicated Miller is seeking $22 million per year, which would make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Cole more recently added that Miller may be willing to miss regular season games.

“This situation has gotten so ugly that you can anticipate Miller to consider whether he has to hold out until November to avoid playing under the one-year franchise tag,” Cole said. “He may even consider doing it for two straight years and ultimately hit free agency after the 2017 season.”

Miller has not yet signed his $14.1 million franchise tender, and as a result he won’t be attending Denver’s offseason program. His participation on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ could also be a factor in that, but as an unsigned player it makes no sense for Miller to risk injury in OTAs.

It’s rare to see a player sit out regular season games in a prolonged holdout, since missed game checks are obviously not ideal. While it can’t be ruled out, the Broncos should not consider rescinding the franchise tag on Miller like the Carolina Panthers did on Josh Norman.

ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold added this nugget on Thursday:

On Von Miller Elway said Miller is “important to us” and hopes to get deal done before deadline. Said there’s been “one offer and one counter.”

Someone will have to budge from their financial stance, as least as it’s being reported for each side. But it’s a long way from having a negotiating position to things being the way Cole is portraying, and I fully expect Miller to be with the Broncos when it really matters at the start of training camp.