In a strategic move aimed at enhancing their defensive prowess, the Washington Commanders are set to sign veteran defensive end Von Miller. This addition is anticipated to not only bolster their pass rush but also help secure those crucial moments during games when defensive stops can seal a victory.
Miller, a dynamic playmaker who shared glimpses of his new Washington jersey on Instagram, brings a wealth of experience to the table. With an impressive 129.5 career sacks, he stands proudly at 16th on the all-time list. Once he clears his physical examination, Miller will finalize a one-year deal with the franchise.
At 36, Miller’s journey includes a successful tenure with the Buffalo Bills over the past three seasons, where he accumulated 14 sacks—eight in his debut season and six last year. Washington is hopeful that he can replicate the impactful role he played with the Los Angeles Rams during their Super Bowl run in the 2021 season. Midway through that season, Los Angeles traded for him, and he responded with five sacks in just eight regular-season games, adding four more during the playoffs to help clinch the Super Bowl title.
Before his time in Buffalo, the dominant pass rusher spent a decade with the Denver Broncos, amassing 110.5 sacks and earning seven All-Pro selections—including three first-team nods—and being named to the Pro Bowl eight times. His performance peaked when he was honored as the MVP of Super Bowl 50.
This signing comes at a key time for the Commanders, as general manager Adam Peters has a history with Miller dating back to their time in Denver, where he was part of the front office that drafted Miller as the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Last season, the Commanders’ pass rush managed to record 43 sacks, ranking them 11th in the league. However, there were clear areas for improvement. They struggled with a four-man rush, placing 26th with just 22 sacks. Even more concerning was their fourth-quarter performance, where they ranked 30th in the league with merely five sacks. This inefficiency allowed opposing quarterbacks to accumulate a fourth-quarter QBR of 74.8, the fourth highest against them.
In pursuit of bolstering their defensive line, Washington explored multiple options in free agency, eyeing players like DeMarcus Lawrence and Joey Bosa. Ultimately, they chose to focus on offensive upgrades in the draft, selecting offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round and cornerback Trey Amos in the second. Additionally, they have reinforced their defensive line by signing several veterans, including ends Deatrich Wise Jr. and Jacob Martin, alongside linebacker Frankie Luvu, who had a career year with eight sacks last season, earning second-team All-Pro honors.
The backdrop to Miller’s signing is his tumultuous exit from the Bills. Released on March 9, he freed up $8.4 million in salary cap space for Buffalo, where he had been one of the top cap hits at $23.9 million behind only quarterback Josh Allen. Miller’s tenure with the Bills was marked by ups and downs, starting strong with eight sacks in 11 games before suffering a severe right ACL injury in late 2022 that hampered his 2023 performance, leading to zero sacks over 12 games.
His off-the-field issues also came into play, as he faced a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, stemming from allegations related to an incident involving his girlfriend. Fortunately, the case was closed without any charges being filed, but it underscored a challenging chapter in his career that the Commanders hope is behind him as he looks to make waves in Washington.
As Miller joins the Commanders, the team is undoubtedly counting on his proven skill set and leadership to ignite their defense and create a robust pathway to success as they aim for more than just a respectable season. With a player of his caliber on board, the Commanders seem poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming campaign.v
