Von Miller says he feels like his dominant self once more. The Buffalo Bills’ edge rusher, who leads active players in sacks, is ready to prove it this season.
After spending last season trying to prove he could fully recover from major knee surgery within a year, Miller arrived at training camp this week feeling determined and motivated. He wants to show he hasn’t lost his edge.
“I haven’t felt like this in two years,” Miller said on Thursday, after Buffalo’s second day of training camp. “I’m feeling good. I’m ready to go. And I’m excited to make up for not having the production I wanted last year.”
Going without a sack in 14 games, including the playoffs, was tough for a 35-year-old who has spent his 13-year NFL career focused on winning and consistent performance.
“I’m Von Miller. I’m kind of measured by sacks,” the two-time Super Bowl champion said with a laugh. “But I didn’t get any last year. I made three tackles.”
Despite second-guessing whether it might have been better to take the whole season off, Miller uses the experience and lack of production as motivation.
His confidence is boosted by spending the entire offseason focusing solely on training, rather than rehabbing.
The brace Miller wore on his right knee last year is gone, as are the worries that led him to avoid pass rush moves that could expose his leg. He says he only began playing with more freedom in the final weeks of the season and playoffs.
“I learned you can’t force things. And I think as a football player, you just try to make things happen,” Miller said.
“At times, it’s been great for me. But at times, like last year, it just wasn’t working for me,” he added. “I think just being able to separate rehab and football, and just be able to focus on football, will be able to pay off for me in the regular season.”
There’s a lot riding on Miller proving himself again in Buffalo. In his first season with the team in 2022, he had a team-leading eight sacks in 11 games before injuring his right knee during a win at Detroit on Thanksgiving.
Buffalo’s defense depends on its front four to create pressure and free up its linebackers and secondary to cover or send a blitzer in passing situations. The pass rush needs a boost to replace Leonard Floyd, who led the team with 10 1/2 sacks last season and left in free agency.
Miller’s future with the Bills, and maybe in the NFL, might hinge on his performance. Although he’s in the third year of a six-year $120 million contract, his salary cap hit increases by nearly $9 million in 2025, which might make him too expensive for the Bills.
Miller considered this when restructuring his contract this offseason to help lower the team’s salary cap hit.
Coach Sean McDermott acknowledged Miller’s struggles last season, noting that most players need two years to fully recover from knee surgery.
“That’s going to be the challenge. But that’s what Von’s here to do,” McDermott said. “I know he’s worked hard in the offseason, and that’ll be a big piece for us as we move forward up front.”
Miller has plenty to drive him, from personal pride to Hall of Fame dreams and his current rank on the NFL sacks list.
With 123 1/2 sacks, Miller is 19th overall and needs 15 more to move into 10th place, ahead of Richard Dent and John Randle. Miller had already set a goal of 15 sacks last season before finishing with none.
