The Broncos and Von Miller agreed to a six-year deal Friday that makes Miller the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The lucrative deal, totalling $70 million in guarantees, keeps the superstar pass-rusher in Denver for the foreseeable future and puts an end to what has been an extremely dramatic contract negotiation.

The contract will pay Miller $114.5 million over six years, with an average annual salary of $19.083 million per season. Miller’s guaranteed total of $70 million is second to only Andrew Luck, who signed a deal with $87 million in guarantees last month.

After helping lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl 50 victory last February, GM John Elway has made a serious financial commitment with Miller, but the former Texas A&M standout is worth every penny.

In five seasons with the Broncos, Miller has averaged 12 sacks per season and is four-time Pro Bowl selection, as well as a two-time All-Pro. Besides Miller’s 2013 six-game suspension, he has done nothing but produce for Denver, and when the lights have shined brightest, so has Miller.

His performance in the 2015 Playoffs was one for the ages, racking up five sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception in the AFC Championship and Super Bowl alone. In the prime of his career, the Broncos have no reason to believe he will do anything but continue to produce moving forward.

“Von’s earned this contract not only for what he’s done in the past but for what we believe he’ll do in the future,” Elway said in a statement.

With the departures of both Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiller, the Broncos 2016 success will continue to depend heavily on defensive production. The Denver running game is expected to thrive behind an improved offensive line, as well as the re-signing of both C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman, and the addition of rookie Devontae Booker. That being said, defense is still this team’s strongest asset.

The NFL is a passing league and if you can prevent the other team from having success through the air, your team will win a lot more games than they lose. The Broncos secondary is as strong as any in the league, and with Miller leading the way for Denver’s young linebackers, the future of this defense looks bright.

Although committing so much money to Miller, limits the cap room Elway can work with over the next few years, with Paxton Lynch on a rookie deal, the Broncos are essentially committing their QB money to Miller.

Miller is well on his way to a spot in Canton, along with numerous Broncos defensive records. Seeing a talent like Miller walk out the door would have been demoralizing for an organization that saw a variety of talented players leave through free agency this offseason.

Miller is one of the league’s most elite pass-rushers and his ability to get a read on the snap count in uncanny. Keeping Miller in a Broncos uniform was the team’s biggest priority this offseason and helps secure the future of the organization.

“I know this took a lot of hard work from John and Von to get this done,” head coach Gary Kubiak said in a statement. “We’re thrilled that Von is going to be a Bronco for a long time. I’ve known him since he was a kid in college. Most of all, I’m proud of how far Von’s come as both a person and a player. It’s a great day for him and the organization. We’re all excited to get back to work with Von as a leader of our team.”

There are a lot of uncertainties regarding the 2016 Broncos but Miller’s future with the Broncos is not one of them. The last thing this team needed was a holdout situation going into training camp. With Miller locked up long-term, the focus will now be on re-signing WR Emmanuel Sanders and of course the Super Bowl reunion with the Carolina Panthers on Thurs. Sept. 8.