PARKER — Von Miller is not ready to hang up his cleats.

The former Broncos edge rusher explained his motivation to keep playing in the NFL after more than 200 career games.

“You try so hard to make it to the NFL,” Miller told The Denver Gazette Thursday. “You sit and pray before games. You give it your all not knowing if it’s going to be your last game or your last season. To have the opportunity to go out there and play? To be blessed by God to have another opportunity to be healthy at 37 years old? You’ve got to take advantage of it.”

Miller is an unrestricted free agent after playing last season with the Commanders. It appears he would like to finish his NFL career where it started — Denver. The Broncos drafted Miller at No. 2 overall in 2011. He told reporters earlier this week: “I would love to assist and be a vice president to Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton.”

Does Miller make the Broncos better?

That all depends on your perspective.

There is no question that Miller would be a welcome addition to the locker room culture at Broncos Park. He’s already considered a mentor to edge rusher Nik Bonitto. Miller texted congratulations after Bonitto was drafted by Denver in 2022. Last week, during a charity event, Bonitto discussed the idea of Miller possibly rejoining the Broncos.

“It would be pretty crazy, for sure,’’ Bonitto said. “I mean, obviously everybody would love that, not only the fans, but the players. He’s a guy that’s loved here in Denver. My personal favorite player ever to watch and just being able to kind of share a room with him would be amazing.’’

It all sounds great on paper. Miller returns to Denver. He brings home another Lombardi Trophy. The team erects a statue of him outside their new stadium in 2031. Hollywood might come calling for the script.

But a feel-good reunion is not the only consideration for signing Miller.

The Broncos are stacked at outside linebacker.

Jonathon Cooper and Bonitto are arguably the best edge-rushing duo in the league. They’ve combined for 62 sacks over the past three seasons. Of course, Miller doesn’t expect to be a starter after playing fewer than 40% of defensive snaps last year for the Commanders — still logging nine sacks. He would provide quality depth.

“At 37 years old, you don’t get many opportunities,” Miller told The Denver Gazette. “But the opportunities that I had, and the coaches and the players around me, allowed me to make that happen.”

Now, the critical question: Who would Miller ultimately replace on the depth chart?

The Broncos have enough outside linebackers next season to shift Jonah Elliss to play inside linebacker. Miller would inevitably be taking snaps away from other young edge rushers like Que Robinson or Dondrea Tillman. That might stall their development.

Right now, it’s hard to see where Miller fits, especially if he commands more than a veteran minimum salary on the open market. For now, he remains unsigned as a free agent.

But there is still no questioning his love for Broncos Country.

Miller returned to the Denver area this week for two charity events for his nonprofit called Von’s Vision. He helped more than 60 kids in Commerce City Wednesday to receive free eye exams and a pair of glasses. Miller held a separate event in Parker Thursday with auction packages, a multi-course dinner and celebrity guests to help raise money.

Miller signed autographs and took pictures for over an hour with Broncos Country supporting his charitable cause.

“Man, it’s so humbling,” Miller told The Denver Gazette. “Selfishly, it just makes you feel good to do stuff for other people. They genuinely appreciate it. … It’s like the great quote from Uncle Ben from Spider-Man: ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’”

VON MILLER BY THE NUMBERS

14: Total NFL seasons played (missed 2020 with ankle injury)

10: Total seasons played with the Broncos

110.5: Career sacks playing for the Broncos (2011-21)

28: Career sacks combined for the Rams, Bills and Commanders