Two years after receiving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has been formally discharged from it's stage three program.

Last September the NFL and player's union reached an agreement to revise it's drug program. Under the new guidelines, a player in stage three (the suspension stage of the program) who goes 24 consecutive months without a positive drug test will be eligible for discharge from the program without any further testing or supervision. If a new violation occurs the player will be allowed to begin at stage one which requires drug testing but no suspension.

The previous policy would have required a player reaching stage three to be subjected to regular testing for the duration of their NFL career. A positive drug test would have meant a suspension of one year.

At the time of his suspension during the 2013 training camp Miller said, "I've just got to grow up, be more mature and take care of business." Miller has done just that in the two years since the announcement of his suspension.

Last season Miller returned with a vengeance after a torn ACL ended his suspension shortened season in week 16 against the Houston Texans. He recorded 59 tackles (42 solo) and 14 sacks which ranked sixth in the league.  

On Saturday before the announcement of his discharge, Miller spoke positively of the changes he has made in his life.

"I've felt good about where I was mentally and on the field before," Miller said. "But I just feel better about everything this time around."

Miller's new outlook on his life and career has caught the attention of Broncos new head coach Gary Kubiak.

"I'm really proud of him," Kubiak said. "He grew up, he came through college, he came here, had a couple things going on that he had to grow through, and now I sit here and watch him and he's a leader every day on the field and off the field. He is a great player. I'm just very proud of him. I don't think he's necessarily taken on a bigger role. I just think he's worked into that role. He's earned that respect."

Miller's discharge couldn't have come at a better time for the fifth-year veteran out of Texas A&M.  Miller is entering the last year of his contract and as one of the league's premier pass rushers is expected to command a large payday.

As a unrestricted free agent in 2016, the Broncos are expected to use their franchise tag next year on Miller while they negotiate a long-term deal.  If a new contract isn't signed before the deadline next July, the franchise tag will pay Miller $15 million for the 2016 season.

The Broncos and Miller will be looking at the recent contract of Kansas City's Justin Houston in any negotiations.  Houston led the league last season with 22.0 sacks and was made the NFL's highest paid linebacker when the Chiefs signed him to a six-year extension worth $101 million with $52.5 million guaranteed.  

Miller has combined with fellow linebacker DeMarcus Ware to become one of the NFL's top pass rushing duo's.  Entering the first year of new defensive coordinator Wade Phillip's aggressive 3-4 defense, Miller can expect to increase his sack totals and his value to the Broncos.

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