Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller may finally be getting back to some of his previous form after struggling through the 2023 season after recovering from an ACL tear.
Miller had a career-low season last year, finishing the season with only one sack in 12 games and descending the defensive line rotation. Even though Miller had several impressive plays toward the end of the season and throughout the playoffs, some insiders wondered if the Bills would cut him before the 2024 campaign.
Although Miller’s future may still be in doubt, Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com claimed that during the team’s early workouts, he shown clear indications of progress.
Parrino pointed out that although Miller had one of his greatest performances to date during the team’s minicamp this week, he is still not entirely healed from the ACL rupture that ended his 2022 season.
Since he tore his ACL back on Thanksgiving in 2022, Miller’s quickness, burst, and bend off the edge haven’t looked the same, according to Parrino. “He stated he had to wear a knee brace during practice the previous season, but he removed it this summer and during OTAs. Miller expressed his desire to continue playing for a few more seasons on Tuesday, even though it was an unpadded session.
Miller managed to pull off a feat that evaded him the whole 2023 season, according to Parrino: going into the backfield to sack the quarterback.
Parrino stated that Miller’s two sacks that day made things difficult for veteran tackle La’el Collins. He blasted by Collins and took off, landing for a sack on quarterback Josh Allen. Later in the drill session, Miller defeated Collins with an inside rush and combined with Greg Rousseau at the quarterback position for an additional sack. Ryan Van Demark was defeated by Rousseau on the opposing side of the line.
There are still some observers who believe the Bills might cut Miller in order to avoid paying a salary cap in the future. The “Bills ran out of all-in options” to create fresh salary cap space in March following a slew of departures and contract restructures, according to Bleacher Report, although Miller may still be cut this summer.
The article stated, “The Bills don’t have many options, but there are two trade candidates after June 1 who could free up some cap space.” The biggest one is Von Miller. Trading him after June 1 would yield the biggest return on cap savings, but parting with him would necessitate swallowing $23.3 million in dead cap. They have $8.8 million to spare.
The Bills have already parted ways with two important defense veterans: Tre’Davious White, the cornerback, and safety Jordan Poyer. In addition, Miller consented to modify his contract, lowering his salary cap amount by $8.02 million for the next campaign and adding performance-based incentives.
Miller’s willingness to make a sacrifice for the club was praised by Bills general manager Brandon Beane.
Beane stated on Sunday, via the Buffalo News, “I thought Von did something I don’t know that many people would’ve done, because he took less than what he was guaranteed, and say what you want, whether you thought he’s performed to the level or not.”
