Cowboys sign EDGE Von Miller

Miller mentioned he has lobbied publicly and privately for a return to the Broncos, but knows it is out of his control. The 37-year-old edge rusher tallied nine sacks for the Commanders last season, showing he still has something left in the tank as part of a pass-rushing rotation. He added that he would “love to assist and be a vice president to Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton.” The Broncos don’t necessarily need an addition at outside linebacker but having a veteran return to his original franchise could add some value from a leadership standpoint. Miller has not received much interest as a free agent, though he is still looking to return for his 17th NFL season.

Miller will be 37 in March but said he wants to return for a 17th professional season, also stating that he hopes to remain in Washington. “Whoever wants me, that’s where I’ll be,” the veteran continued, stating that he understand he is no position to be making demands considering his age. Either way, Miller seems intent on playing again in 2026.

Miller was a cap casualty of the Bills this offseason as his production did not meet his $17.5 million salary for 2025. The 36-year-old tallied six sacks last season as a rotational pass rusher after an uncharacteristic zero sacks in 2023. He is a Super Bowl winner with the Broncos and Rams and will give it another shot on a one-year deal with a rising Commanders team. An 83.0 PFF grade (No. 11 among edge rushers) last season indicates Miller can still rush the passer in bursts. He will join fellow late-career veteran Bobby Wagner on the front seven of the Commanders defense.

It’s not unusual for older pass rushers to take their time in deciding where to go, and Miller appears to be no exception. He told 9NEWS’ Mike Klis that a return to the Broncos “wouldn’t make sense” because the team has two strong pass rushers. Miller will likely be able to catch on elsewhere — probably closer to training camp — if he desires to continue his career.

Miller was due to make $17.5 million in 2025, but after recording 14 sacks in three seasons, the soon-to-be 36-year-old pass rusher simply wasn’t worth the money he was due. That said, both sides are reportedly open to a return, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, so this may not be the last we see of Miller in a Bills uniform. After winning the Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021, Miller joined the Bills on a six-year, $120 million deal during the 2022 offseason. Injuries limited him to just 36 regular season games with the Bills during his tenure, while the 14 sacks he amassed were his fewest in any three years during his career. In 2023, Miller failed to record a sack despite appearing in 12 games. Miller is in the twilight of his career. Currently ranked 16th in all-time sacks, Miller totaled six sacks and 32 pressures last season, per PFF. He could still find work as a situational pass rusher in 2025, but he may have to wait to see how free agency and the draft unfold before signing a deal. His release will save the Bills $8.4 million against their 2025 cap number.

Gaughan examines how the Bills need to create cap space and releasing Miller is the easiest way to do it. If Miller is a post-June 1 cut, the Bills can lower his cap figure down to $6.37 million and save $14.77 million. If they release him without the June 1 designation in March, it’s an $8.4 million savings. Miller, who turns 36 in March, recorded six sacks in a reserve role last season. The three-time All-Pro selection and Super Bowl 50 MVP signed a six-year, $120 million contract with Buffalo in 2022, after spending 10 seasons with the Broncos and Rams, winning a pair of Super Bowl titles.

Miller was suspended at the beginning of October for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, missing Week 5 through Week 8. He will likely immediately return to a situational pass rush role for a Bills team surging up the AFC leaderboard.

He’ll be eligible to return in Week 9 against the Dolphins. Miller had three sacks and five tackles in four games so far this season, rejuvenating himself after a zero-sack 2023. Only a situational pass rusher at this point, Miller will be missed but isn’t exactly a linchpin piece of the Buffalo defense anymore. It’s a slight upgrade for the Texans passing attack this week.

The Bills have made a series of roster cuts and now restructure Miller to save cap space. The new deal for Miller has a base value of $8.855 million in 2024 with the opportunity to get up to $20 million in incentives. The previous contract was up to $17.5 million in incentives. Reducing Miller’s cap hit and making the contract incentive-laden saves the Bills $8.645 in cap for the 2024 season. After a Divisional Round exit in the playoffs, the Bills have had to find ways to save money for a push next season.

Considering the money the Bills are paying Miller and the fact that they continued to play him in recent weeks despite domestic violence allegations, this is a surprise. However, Miller has not performed on the field at all since coming back from a torn ACL, so he likely would have been benched much sooner if he wasn’t Von Miller. With A.J. Epenesa back, the Bills have decided to sit Miller, which also calls into question his future with the team. With DT DaQuan Jones also healthy, the Bills have made DT Linval Joseph inactive. Other inactives for the Bills are OL Alec Anderson, S Damar Hamlin, and CB Kaiir Elam.