It didn't take time for Chubb to prove Miller's excitement was warranted.

In fact, it took just seconds.

On his very first defensive play, he combined with safety Darian Stewart to sack Russell Wilson in the season-opening victory over the Seahawks. But making an early impact was nothing new to Chubb.

"It was crazy because in college at the start of my senior season, I got a [tackle for loss] on the first play," Chubb said following the game. "I feel like it was just reoccurring. It's definitely exciting and something to look forward to."

And on the other side of the formation, Miller recorded three sacks, his first three-sack game since 2016.

"When he got the first [sack] I was like, 'OK, he's so special,'" Chubb said. "When he got the second one, I was like, 'OK he needs to slow down; I need to get one.' Then he got the third one, and I was like, 'All right, this is his game and nobody can take that from him.' He's just a great player and I'm happy to be on his sideline."

It proved to be just the beginning for this duo, though. Miller, boosted by Chubb's presence, recorded 14.5 sacks, his most since 2012, and Chubb himself registered 12, the most ever by a Broncos rookie. And the Broncos as a team finished the season with 44 sacks — 11 more than the previous year.

"He runs games like Shaq and Kobe," Miller said. "It's hard to stop him on the other side."

After 1.5 sacks in the season's first five weeks, Chubb showed vast improvement as he settled into the NFL game. In a three-game stretch in October, he accrued 5.5 sacks and captured Defensive Rookie of the Month honors along the way, the first Bronco to win the award since Miler in 2011.

"It just shows the hard work and stuff I've been putting into the rest of the season," Chubb said Nov. 1. "I'm nowhere near where I want to be. I'm happy for the achievement, but right now, I just have to keep working and keep getting back to work and get a win."

But rushing the passer is just part of a linebacker's duties, and Chubb showed growth in his coverage responsibilities as well.

"I feel like, honestly, it's night and day," Chubb said. "The comfort level I've been having out there — the first game the tight ends [were] running across, I wasn't used to it. Now, I just feel like I'm more comfortable and just have the support of the guys around me. … It's been good."

By Week 14, Chubb had broken Miller's rookie sack record after a two-sack performance against the 49ers. To Miller, that achievement was the result of hours of hard work, adapting to the NFL level and proving why he was one of the best prospects in the draft.