Von Miller, coming off his most productive season since 2021, doesn’t sound like a man ready to retire.
Miller appeared on The Rich Eisen Show and said he still had gas left in the tank for the 15th season.
“I’m definitely not at the start, but they’re still falling for the same tricks,” Miller said when asked if he was nearing the end. “I can’t go. They’re still falling for this stuff. I’ve got to roll the dice again. I had nine sacks last year, and I only played 35, 37 percent, so they’re still falling for it. They’re still falling for the same tricks I’ve been doing my whole career. I’m going to keep rolling the dice until they figure it out.”
Far from his perennial All-Pro days, the soon-to-be 37-year-old proved to be a valuable asset in Washington last season, leading the Commanders with nine sacks and racking up 15 QB hits, 26 tackles and six tackles for loss in 17 games — his first complete game since 2018.
Last season, Miller chose the Chiefs over the Seahawks, a decision he said he would make “10 times out of 10.” He pointed to the presence of Jayden Daniels and Washington’s previous run to the NFC Championship in 2024 as reasons he chose Washington over the Super Bowl. It’s hard to fault Miller for the choice at the time, but in his mind it underscores the need to make the right decision this time around.
“I’m a loyal guy. I’d love to be with Washington’s commanders,” he said. “I fell in love with my teammates there. I love the way they run the organization. (General manager) Adam Peters is great. Coach (Dan) Quinn is great. I would love to be the head coach in Washington. If something were to happen and I’m not the head coach in Washington, I’d love to go to the Denver Broncos. I didn’t get that opportunity when I got that opportunity — I got that opportunity to mess with it. Didn’t get to walk on the field and be the same and, ‘Okay, this is my last game.’ I have to expect. I just have to make the best of whatever decision I get.”
That the Broncos didn’t offer Miller a contract last season likely reflects their position. The AFC West champions boast Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper on the outside. They would probably prefer to let youngsters Jonah Elliss and Que Robinson run rather than add a veteran with a long tooth. Of course, never say never in a league always in need of pivot passing help, but it’s not a clear matchup.
The Chiefs certainly need help with veterans Miller and Jacob Martin, the club’s leading sack artists, both headed for free agency. However, Washington desperately needs to get younger on defense.
Miller isn’t likely to be in the first wave of free agency and could be a player who waits until after the draft to lock down the best position going forward. No longer a threat, the former Super Bowl MVP can still get behind him in rushes and is a solid defender off the edge. He’ll be at his best if he lands with a team that needs 20-25 shots a game from a replacement vet in 2026.