Von Miller, the eight-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, finds himself in an unexpected position as training camps approach. After being released by the Buffalo Bills in March 2025, the future Hall of Famer reportedly has “three very interested teams” pursuing his services, but his signing before training camp remains uncertain.
Bills Left With Gaping Hole
The Bills’ decision to release Miller created immediate defensive concerns. The move saved Buffalo $8.4 million in cap space but left them scrambling to replace a veteran who had recorded six sacks in 2024. While the Bills have Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa as solid pass-rushers, losing Miller’s veteran presence and pass-rushing ability created a significant void in their Super Bowl aspirations.
The Bills are reportedly interested in pursuing a blockbuster trade for a six-time Pro Bowl pass rusher to fill the gap left by Miller’s departure, demonstrating just how devastating his loss could be to their championship hopes.
From Texas A&M Star to NFL Legend
Miller’s journey to NFL stardom began at Texas A&M University, where he dominated Big 12 offenses from 2007-2010. The DeSoto, Texas native finished his college career with 33 sacks and 50.5 tackles for loss, including a nation-leading 17 sacks in 2009 as a junior.
His senior season in 2010 was particularly impressive despite battling a high ankle sprain early in the year. Playing as a 3-4 outside linebacker, Miller recorded 10.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss while earning consensus first-team All-American honors and winning the prestigious Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. He received first-team All-American recognition from Walter Camp, Scout.com, Pro Football Weekly, ESPN.com, and the Associated Press.
Miller’s college excellence made him a projected top-five draft pick, and the Denver Broncos selected him second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Fourteen Seasons of Excellence and Adversity
Now entering his 14th NFL season, Miller has accumulated 129.5 career sacks, ranking 16th all-time. His illustrious career includes eight Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro honors, four second-team All-Pro selections, and two Super Bowl championships (with Denver in 2015 and the Los Angeles Rams in 2021). His crowning individual achievement came as Super Bowl 50 MVP when he dominated the Carolina Panthers with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Injury Struggles and Resilience
Miller’s career has been marked by significant injury challenges, particularly with ACL tears. His first major setback came in December 2013 when he tore his ACL during a game against the Houston Texans, ending his third NFL season prematurely.
More recently, Miller suffered another devastating ACL injury to the same right knee on Thanksgiving Day 2022 against the Detroit Lions during his first season with Buffalo. What initially appeared to be a minor knee issue requiring a scope turned into a full ACL reconstruction.
Miller’s 2023 season was particularly challenging. He started the year on the PUP list and later admitted he “probably shouldn’t have played” that season. Despite appearing in 12 games, he recorded zero sacks and just three tackles, far below his Hall of Fame standards. Miller has expressed frustration with being judged for his performance while playing through the injury.
Career Injury Timeline:
- 2013: Torn right ACL (missed remainder of season)
- 2020: Ankle injury (missed entire season)
- 2022: Torn right ACL (missed remainder of season)
- 2023: Played through ACL recovery (severely limited production)
- 2024: Four-game suspension for personal conduct policy violation
Leadership and Locker Room Presence
Despite his injury struggles, Miller has remained a respected leader. Bills coach Sean McDermott praised his team-first attitude, noting “he’s such a team player” who “does everything that’s asked” and “serves his teammates”. Teammates have highlighted Miller’s positive energy and infectious presence, with defensive tackle Ed Oliver emphasizing the value of “having his presence, having his positive energy, the way he carry himself”.
The Road Ahead
At 36 years old (turning 36 on March 26), Miller’s future remains murky as teams evaluate whether he has enough left in the tank to contribute meaningfully. While his release was primarily a cost-cutting move, both Miller and the Bills have left the door open for a potential reunion.
For 2024, Miller bounced back with six sacks in 13 games, showing flashes of his former self. His goal remains bringing a Super Bowl championship to Buffalo, stating, “The biggest team goal is bringing the first Super Bowl to Buffalo… Buffalo Bills fans and Western New York, they deserve it”.
As training camps loom, Miller’s agent reports three teams showing strong interest, but the veteran pass rusher’s preference appears to be avoiding the rigors of camp. With his Hall of Fame credentials and championship experience, Miller could still provide valuable veteran leadership and situational pass-rushing for a contending team willing to take a calculated risk on his aging but accomplished skill set.
The next few weeks will determine whether Von Miller’s remarkable 14-year career continues with a new opportunity or if this legendary pass rusher will step away from the game that has defined his life.
