Gut reaction: Here's what Von Miller's shockingly brief walk-off presser means for the Broncos

Zero sacks, zero takeaways through three games. That's an all-time and ignominious feat the Denver Broncos set to open this season.

For the past three weeks, Von Miller has stood at the podium before games and after, fielding the same questions.

'What's going on, Von?'

'Why have you struggled to get to the QB?'

'Are you happy with your role in the defense?'

'How do you feel about the Broncos losing three-straight to open the year? Is there something more going on?'

'Von, Vic Fangio was supposed to elevate this Broncos defense. Not preside over its regression. What gives?'

After enduring such volleys week after week and not really having the answers, the Broncos' all-time leader in sacks let his silence speak for him. On Thursday, ahead of the Broncos' Week 4 bout with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miller took to the podium after practice, as is his responsibility, spoke for 13 seconds and then walked off the riser with a kind of half-hearted wave.

13 second presser from Von Miller 😬

(via @TroyRenck)pic.twitter.com/OhZE6VAIrn
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 26, 2019

"I've got great teammates, great coaches," Miller said. "Excited about the opportunity this week vs. the Jaguars. Got a great game-plan in. I'm excited to play."

That's a first for me. I've been covering this team almost as long as Miller has been a Bronco, and I've never seen anything like it from the seven-time Pro Bowler. On the opposite side of the spectrum, last year Miller stood up ahead of the team's road trip to take on the Arizona Cardinals and promised that the Broncos were going to 'kick their a#$'.

Sure enough, the Broncos demolished the Cardinals 45-10, while Miller posted two sacks, a tackle for a loss and recovered a fumble.

Fast forward to today and clearly, the star is frustrated. Even Vic Fangio is at a loss.

“I don’t know," Fangio said on Friday. "I didn’t know he did it. I’d just imagine he might be tired of answering the same questions over and over again, but I don’t see it as a big deal.”

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What it means

Fangio might not be willing to admit it but yes, Von Miller is frustrated. My bet is that instead of standing at the podium, spouting platitudes and trying to answer the same questions, Miller will let his play on Sunday do the talking for him.

If Miller comes out vs. the Jaguars and has another incognito performance in which he makes a few tackles setting the edge but doesn't affect the passer, or sack the quarterback, that'll speak volumes.

That might serve as a direct message to the Broncos' front office. The implications would be grave and it might force GM John Elway to confront some uncomfortable truths.

If Miller comes out and plays with the type of focus and intensity that he did in Week 7 vs. the Cardinals last year, or maybe finds a way to conjure the player he was in the 2015-16 playoffs that culminated in him being named Super Bowl 50 MVP, the odds are, the Broncos will be back on a winning track and this miasmic cloud that's been following the team overhead since Week 14 of last season will finally burst and be gone.

Like the team itself, it feels like Von Miller is on the razor's edge. The next step will send him careening in one direction and whichever way that ends up being, it'll have a lasting impact on the short- and long-term future of the Broncos.

“No, he’s not frustrated with his role," Fangio said. "He’s frustrated with where we’re at.”

If Miller turns in another seemingly muted, or at the very least, ineffectual performance in Week 4, it would run counter to the legend he's built for himself in Denver. For what it's worth, I don't believe Miller is so frustrated he's poised to give up on his team, like I've heard some fans voice misgivings about.

I believe Miller's character is of the Ring-of-Fame and Hall-of-Fame type. I don't have a crystal ball but my gut tells me Von will come out swinging on Sunday and send a message to the fans and the NFL — don't write off the Broncos.

Miller's shockingly-brief walk-off presser also sent a message to the Broncos' locker room. This team could be on fire come Sunday.

What does your gut tell you? Are we fixing to see a 'Vonster' type of performance on Sunday? Or could this be (heaven forbid) a passive-aggressive message up the chain of command that Miller is not happy? Tell me in the comments below.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.