WASHINGTON — At age 30, Von Miller isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon — he’s got a record to break.

The Denver Broncos linebacker is determined to pass Bruce Smith’s career sack total. Currently with 98, he’s got a long way to go to pass the Hall of Famer’s 200 sacks.

"Whenever you set out to do something, you just want to be the best," Miller told USA TODAY after receiving the 2019 Jefferson Award for public service in professional sports. "I've got an opportunity to do something great."

Since Smith cemented the record in 2003 after 19 seasons in the league, the closest any player has come to that mark was Julius Peppers with 159½ career sacks after 17 seasons.

Entering his ninth year in the NFL, Miller might have to play another decade while maintaining his current level of productivity to seal the deal. Smith was active in the league until he was 40 years old, a rarity for defenders.

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The goal is lofty to say the least, but Miller makes a strong case. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl 50 MVP holds the Broncos franchise record for sacks and has reached double-digit totals in all but one of his seasons, with his 2013 campaign shortened by suspension serving as the lone outlier.

"I think he can do it, but it takes consistency," former teammate DeMarcus Ware said. "If he's averaging 15-16 sacks a year … and (has) a long career with no injuries, I think he can break that record."

Miller says his game will only improve now that he’s under the direction of first-year coach Vic Fangio. In 2018, Fangio was the coordinator for a Chicago Bears defense that ranked first in scoring (17.6) and third in sacks (50).

"When we had the opportunity to get coach Fangio, I was like, 'Man this is the coach that I want to play for,' " Miller said. "He's done magical things with outside linebackers."

Miller told USA TODAY he doesn’t have a specific number of sacks he wants to reach this season as he endeavors to make history, but he told DenverBroncos.com in April that he’s set on reaching 20. The closest he’s gotten to that number was when he recorded 18½ sacks in 2012.

"I just want to go out there and play to the best of my ability," Miller said. "I know if I can do that, that would be more than enough."