Von Miller Signs with Commanders: A Veteran’s Last Shot at Glory

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The Washington Commanders are making headlines by signing veteran defensive end Von Miller to a one-year contract, aiming to strengthen their struggling pass rush and bring experience to a developing defense. The 36-year-old former Super Bowl MVP posted images of himself in a Commanders uniform on Instagram, signaling his intent to contribute immediately to a franchise in need of late-game defensive support. Miller has had a decorated career, amassing 129.5 sacks—ranking him 16th on the NFL’s all-time list. His career began with the Denver Broncos in 2011, where he quickly rose to stardom, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro nods. He was named the MVP of Super Bowl 50 after leading Denver to victory over the Carolina Panthers. His recent stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills were marked by both impact and injury. Most notably, he helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI in 2021, recording nine total sacks across regular season and playoff appearances that year. The Commanders are hoping for a repeat of that success. Despite finishing 11th in total team sacks (43) last season, the Commanders struggled when it mattered most, ranking 30th in fourth-quarter sacks. Quarterbacks posted a QBR of 74.8 against Washington in the final frame, one of the worst marks in the league. The acquisition of Miller is aimed directly at solving that late-game inefficiency. New general manager Adam Peters, who worked in Denver when Miller was drafted, played a key role in bringing the veteran to Washington. “There’s familiarity and trust there,” a team source noted. The Commanders also added other veteran defenders like Deatrich Wise Jr. and linebacker Frankie Luvu, the latter coming off a breakout season with eight sacks and second-team All-Pro honors.

However, Miller's road back hasn’t been easy. He suffered a torn ACL in late 2022 and recorded zero sacks during the 2023 season. Compounding his struggles, Miller served a four-game suspension in 2024 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy after an alleged domestic incident. No charges were filed, and the league closed its investigation earlier this year. Still, the Commanders are betting on Miller’s experience, leadership, and championship pedigree. If he can stay healthy and recapture his old form, he could become the missing piece for a Washington defense seeking to return to playoff relevance.