Von Miller is one of the most decorated pass rushers in NFL history, and he is not done yet. After recording nine sacks with the Washington Commanders in 2025, the 37-year-old is publicly campaigning for a return to the Buffalo Bills. His production in Washington showed that even late in his career, Miller can still create pressure and change games in limited snaps.
The Bills are focused on building a dominant defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard and could use every edge they can find. Leonhard’s defensive system puts a premium on versatility, pressure, and veteran intelligence, which makes Miller an intriguing fit.
Von Miller still has something left
Miller’s 2025 campaign with Washington was a genuine bounce-back effort. His nine sacks were his highest total since the 2021 season, and for a player many had written off, that production made a real statement. He played all 17 regular-season games and showed he could still get to the quarterback when healthy and motivated.
Those nine sacks also came with 26 total tackles and six tackles for loss. Those are not superstar numbers, but they are solid contributions from a veteran on a modest deal. For a Bills team that ranked near the middle of the league in sacks last season, that kind of consistent output from a rotational player would be a meaningful upgrade.
Miller wants back in Buffalo
Miller has not been shy about wanting to play for Buffalo again. “Man, I would love to go back to the Buffalo Bills,” he said, before predicting the Bills would win the Super Bowl in 2026. He praised Josh Allen, called James Cook the best running back in the league, and spoke glowingly about Buffalo’s offseason additions. His passion for the franchise is real.
Miller praised Buffalo’s addition of Bradley Chubb and DJ Moore, though the moves came in different ways: Chubb signed with the Bills, while Moore was acquired in a trade with Chicago. A player who buys into the team’s vision before he even signs is the kind of veteran presence coaches value. His belief in the Bills’ direction would make him a motivated and focused contributor from day one of training camp.
The Bills’ pass rush has one glaring gap
Buffalo has added pieces to their edge rusher group but still lacks proven depth. Adding TJ Parker alongside Chubb and Greg Rousseau gives coordinator Jim Leonhard a strong trio of pass rushers.
Chubb has dealt with major injuries in his career, but Buffalo’s 2026 signing announcement also noted that he was coming off a productive season with 8.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits. Moreover, Parker is an unproven rookie. A veteran safety net behind those two is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
In the 2020s alone, only one Buffalo edge has recorded a 10-sack season. That was Leonard Floyd, a one-year rental in 2023, and the only Bills defender to do so since 2017. That stat reveals a persistent problem. Adding Miller on a low-cost deal would address the depth gap without blocking the development of younger players on the roster.
The Bills’ 3-4 fits Miller like a glove
Jim Leonhardt is installing a 3-4 base defense in Buffalo, and that system suits Miller’s skill set well. The scheme features multiple fronts designed to create pass-rush chaos and generate turnovers. Miller has spent his career as a versatile edge rusher who can play as a stand-up linebacker or a down lineman. His experience across multiple schemes makes him highly adaptable.
Miller thrived in a 3-4 system early in his career with the Denver Broncos, where he won Super Bowl 50 MVP. That institutional knowledge of how to win in that structure is something no rookie can replicate. His fit with the Bills is not just positional. It is schematic and cultural, and it gives Leonhard a proven option as he builds his new defensive identity.
Fun Fact: Miller competed on Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars in 2016, just weeks after winning Super Bowl 50 MVP.
A Miller reunion won’t break the bank
One of the biggest concerns with a Miller reunion is cost, but the market reality is in Buffalo’s favor. Miller is projected to attract around $5 million in average annual value in free agency, according to Spotrac. That is a fraction of the $120 million deal he signed with the Bills in 2022. The financial risk of a one-year deal at that price is minimal compared to the upside. $5.84M AAV
He is no longer a full-time player and has not exceeded 37% of a team’s defensive snaps since the 2022 season. That limited role makes him easier to budget and manage on game days. The Bills would not need to rely on him heavily. They would use him as a smart rotational weapon to keep the defensive line fresh and effective in critical late-game situations.
Buffalo can’t put a price on Miller’s leadership
Beyond his on-field production, Miller’s value as a mentor is hard to quantify. He has stated that there is no question about the environment he brings to a locker room, the energy he provides, and his ability to keep teammates ready to compete. That kind of veteran presence lifts everyone around it. For a rookie like TJ Parker, learning from a future Hall of Famer daily is priceless.
Parker relies on power to win rather than speed, and Miller has used power, speed, and technique across his entire career. His mentorship could fast-track Parker’s development in ways that coaching sessions alone cannot. Adding a player of Miller’s character strengthens the locker room fabric of a team chasing its first Super Bowl title in franchise history.
Miller has history to chase in 2026
Miller has another reason to keep playing beyond his love of the game. He is tied for 9th on the official career sacks list with (138.5) sacks, leaving him exactly (3.0) sacks behind Michael Strahan, who ranks 6th with (141.5) sacks. Strahan is one of the most recognizable names in NFL defensive history. Passing him would cement Miller’s legacy among the all-time greats of the position.
Chasing that milestone while playing for a legitimate Super Bowl contender would be the perfect final chapter for Miller. Motivated veterans often outperform their age-adjusted expectations. If Miller gets three or more sacks in 2026, he will enter NFL history while helping Buffalo achieve something the franchise has never done before. That is a compelling story for everyone involved.
It’s time for Beane to make the call
The decision rests with Bills general manager Brandon Beane. Miller, on a low-cost deal, could help a rotation that already includes Rousseau, Chubb, and newly drafted TJ Parker. It is up to Beane and the coaching staff to decide if a reunion makes sense. The football and financial cases both point in the same direction.
Miller’s willingness to return at a reduced salary removes the biggest obstacle to making this work. Beane has shown a willingness to take calculated risks on veterans when the value is right. Signing Miller would be exactly that type of smart, low-risk move that adds real depth and experience to a defense that needs every advantage heading into a loaded 2026 season.
Little-Known Fact: Miller was suspended by his Texas A&M coach for skipping class and nearly transferred before his father convinced him to stay. He then led the NCAA in sacks with 17.5 in his junior year.
TL;DR:
- Miller recorded nine sacks in 2025, his best total since 2021, proving he can still produce as a rotational pass rusher.
- He has publicly expressed a strong desire to return to Buffalo and believes the Bills will win the Super Bowl in 2026.
- Buffalo’s new 3-4 scheme under Jim Leonhard fits Miller’s versatile skill set based on his long career history.
- A projected cost of around $5 million makes a one-year deal financially low-risk for the Bills’ front office.
- Miller is just three sacks away from tying Michael Strahan for 10th on the all-time list, giving him powerful extra motivation.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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