Once a splashy signing for a Super Bowl push, Von Miller is now a salary cap cut for a squad aiming to remain in the AFC hierarchy and get its books in order at the same time.
The Buffalo Bills are releasing Miller in a move that will save $8.4 million in salary cap space, ߣÏÈÉúAV Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Sunday. Rapoport and Pelissero added that both sides are open to a return, however. The team has since announced the move.
Miller, due a $17.1 million base salary in 2025, owned an 8.5 cap percentage for the Bills, who were $8.6 million in the red for the cap prior to parting ways with the 35-year-old outside linebacker.
Having won Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, Miller signed with the Bills ahead of the 2022 season on a monstrous six-year, $120 million pact. The eight-time Pro Bowler was looked at as a potential final piece in getting the Bills to the big game, but injuries, off-the-field troubles and his prime seasons being in the rear view added up to an overall underwhelming investment.
In three seasons with Buffalo, Miller played 36 of a potential 50 games (the Bills officially played 16 games in 2022) with 11 starts -- all in his first season for the club. He totaled 14 sacks, 41 tackles, 23 QB hits and just one forced fumble. During his time, he dealt with an ACL tear in 2022 and was suspended four games this past season for violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Miller turned himself in after he was accused of felony assault of a pregnant woman, though no chargers were filed.
At this time last year, the Bills were making cuts, as well, namely Tre'Davious White and Jordan Poyer, but Miller survived after restructuring his contract.
He produced six sacks in 13 games for Buffalo in 2024, though he had none and just one tackle in three playoff games.
Turning 36 on March 26, Miller's future is murky. He's most certainly a future Hall of Famer, but just how much the Super Bowl 50 MVP has left is in question and how many teams will be willing to take a shot with a veteran pass-rush specialist remains to be seen.
Miller will add some profile to a free-agent market lacking star power and a potential reunion with the Broncos will surely be a talking point. However, Denver has young studs Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper at the outside backer spots with John Franklin-Myers and Zach Allen manning defensive end.
Pass-rush-needy contenders -- such as the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- could, at least on paper, look like fits. The Atlanta Falcons could also use a burst off the edge and head coach Raheem Morris was the Rams' defensive coordinator during Miller's stay in Los Angeles during its Super Bowl run.
Miller, the league's active leader in career sacks, departs from Buffalo with 129.5 career sacks. He's aiming to become just the 16th player in ߣÏÈÉúAV chronicle with 130-plus sacks and looking to find a new squad to make history with.
