ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos are on the doorstep of free agency, Super Bowl trophy in hand, and unlike recent offseasons when they’ve wielded their checkbook with some success, they will concentrate on keeping several of their own players who are free agents.

Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, quarterback Brock Osweiler and defensive end Malik Jackson head a group of Denver free agents that also includes leading tackler Danny Trevathan and special teams captain David Bruton Jr.

It won’t be easy, but the Broncos have to try to keep as many of their own productive players as they can.

“We’d much rather have the tough decisions than the easy decisions because if you have the tough decisions, you have a lot of great players," executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway said. “To try and keep this puzzle together is the challenge. It’s going to be hard, but we look forward to it and think we can do it.’’

Von Miller is a candidate to receive the Broncos' franchise tag, although the team hopes to sign him to a long-term deal. AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Miller, who almost certainly will get the franchise player tag in the coming weeks, Osweiler and Jackson certainly are priorities among the team’s unrestricted free agents, but management will take a long look at all of their homegrown players, including Trevathan and Bruton. And Elway has stated the goal with Miller is a long-term deal, even if the Broncos use the franchise tag in the interim.

The last three players the Broncos have designated as a franchise player -- kicker Matt Prater, tackle Ryan Clady and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas -- each have signed a long-term deal before that season’s training camp opened. And that is the scenario the Broncos would like to see play out with Miller, who has said he believes talks with the team would be “peaceful.’’

In 2014, citing some roster holes, especially on defense, the Broncos opened the checkbook wide to sign free agents away from other teams. The haul included safety T.J. Ward, cornerback Aqib Talib, linebacker DeMarcus Ware and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

In addition to handsome contracts, the Broncos lured those players with the presence of Peyton Manning and owner Pat Bowlen, who has long been known for doing things the right way.

This time around, the Broncos can point to their success (five consecutive division titles and two Super Bowl appearances), facilities and that same culture, selling points that Miller, Osweiler and Jackson have known firsthand.

“We play for a great owner, we live in a great town, we’ve got a great head coach, we have great coaches, players want to play here,’’ Elway said. “That falls into the equation.’’

Contract negotiations are a tricky business. The Broncos have seen some players depart for big paydays, including Julius Thomas and Eric Decker, either because the Broncos didn't make bringing them back a priority or the money simply was better elsewhere.

But players such as Derek Wolfe and Chris Harris Jr. have re-signed over the past two seasons without even testing the market. As Harris put it, “I knew I wanted to be here. I like how we do things, I like the team, my family likes it here, it all mattered to me. ... I’ve always said I probably could have gotten more money someplace else, but maybe not more of the other things. It was all a big package for me.’’

It’s why the Broncos have taken their swings in negotiations with both Osweiler and Jackson in these days before free agency opens March 9. It’s also why Elway and Mike Sullivan, who will lead contract negotiations for the team, have tried to maintain some flexibility with the team’s position against the salary cap.

“We want to be in position to do what we need to do to stay competitive, year after year,’’ Elway said.