Von Miller’s time in Los Angeles is over. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year has agreed to a deal in free agency to head east and play for the Buffalo Bills. Miller leaves the Los Angeles Rams following their Super Bowl LVI win and after he was traded by the Denver Broncos midseason.
Von Miller signs with the Bills
Miller agreed to sign with the Bills on a six-year, $120 million deal on Wednesday, nearly three hours after the free agency period opened. According to PFN NFL Insider Aaron Wilson, the contract has a $53 million payout in the first three years, $32 million fully guaranteed at signing, and $52 million in total guarantees, per a league source.
Miller was acquired by the Rams in October of last year as Los Angeles went all-in on a Super Bowl run. The Rams traded 2022 second- and third-round picks to the Broncos to acquire Miller, who had played his entire career in Colorado.
The Rams worked hard to keep Miller in an effort to “run it back” with their special collection of all-stars. Head coach Sean McVay hoped that Miller, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey could continue to make the Rams’ defense elite on all three levels.
Now, Bills head coach Sean McDermott will continue to bolster his defense and look to get to the Super Bowl after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round last year.
Getting to know Miller
Miller entered the league as the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Broncos drafted the Texas A&M alum to set the tone for the defense. He more than delivered, earning several honors in the process.
Miller earned a Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection as a rookie, producing 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. That rookie season was just a preview of what was to come, as Miller made seven total Pro Bowls in eight seasons. During that span, he produced 99 sacks and 24 forced fumbles. Miller was named a first-team All-Pro three times and won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos.
Miller suffered a dislocated peroneal tendon during training camp in 2020, and the injury required season-ending surgery. After missing the entire year, Miller returned to form in Denver last season. While the Broncos struggled to get going during the first half of the year, Miller collected 19 tackles and 4.5 sacks in seven games.
Denver then traded Miller to LA for the two Day 2 picks. The Rams needed help creating pressure opposite Leonard Floyd at outside linebacker. Miller delivered, collecting 31 tackles, 5 sacks, and a forced fumble in eight regular-season games. Miller was sensational during the Rams’ Super Bowl LIV run, as he produced 12 tackles, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble in the playoffs. In Super Bowl LIV against the Cincinnati Bengals, Miller had 2 sacks and 3 QB hits on Joe Burrow.
Who’s left on the market?
With Miller heading to the Bills, the EDGE market took a bit of a hit. Miller was Pro Football Network Lead NFL Analyst Dalton Miller’s fifth overall free agent and second-ranked edge defender on the open market.
Pass rushers like Jadeveon Clowney of the Cleveland Browns and Derek Barnett of the Philadelphia Eagles are still available for teams seeking to upgrade their defenses. PFN’s Top 100 Free Agents list features both players.