Von Miller has not committed to a team during his first free agency bid, but the Rams look to have moved into pole position for the future Hall of Fame pass rusher.
The expectation is Miller will stay with the Rams, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com noting teams are under the impression this is how the Miller process will conclude (Twitter link). Other teams are still pursuing the 11-year veteran, but the Rams appear to have the inside track.
Dallas and Cleveland have also attempted to land Miller this week. Both teams’ 2021 sidekick rushers — Randy Gregory and Jadeveon Clowney, respectively — are either unsigned (Clowney) or with another team now (Gregory). Gregory was on the verge of returning to the Cowboys, but an 11th-hour snafu sent him to the Broncos. The Cowboys are not especially confident they will beat out the Rams for Miller, Jane Slater of NFL.com adds (on Twitter). The Cowboys have not made Miller an offer, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News tweets.
Miller, 33 next week, was connected to going back to Denver as well. The team’s successful pursuit of Gregory nixed that path. Prior to any Broncos-reunion talk or a hope of returning to his native Dallas, Miller had said he wanted to stay in Los Angeles. The All-Decade edge rusher notched nine sacks in the Rams’ final eight games last season.
The Rams have Leonard Floyd signed to a long-term deal and may well need to give Aaron Donald a raise soon. Miller is expected to command close to $20MM annually. While that is a sizable chunk of cash to commit to pass rushers, the Rams have not shied away from making splashy moves work since relocating to L.A.