When Von Miller signed a six-year, $120MM free agent deal in 2022, questions were raised about how he would be able to remain productive over the life of that pact. Halfway through the deal, a release looms as a distinct possibility. 
Miller had a strong debut campaign with Buffalo, notching eight sacks in 11 games. An ACL tear ended his season, however, and it delayed his debut the following year. The former Bronco and Ram Super Bowl winner managed to suit up for 12 contests in 2023, but he was held without a sack and handled only a rotational role. That was followed by a pay cut being worked out last March.
The 35-year-old was again a part-time contributor off the edge in 2024, logging a snap share of 33%. Miller did rebound to an extent on the statsheet with six sacks and 16 pressures in 13 games (played on either side of his four-game suspension), but reducing his impact on the team’s cap moving forward is a sensible goal. Unless Miller agrees to reduce his pay again, Joe Buscaglia writes a release can be expected (subscription required).
Miller’s scheduled compensation ranges from $17.5MM to $30MM over the next three years, but none of his base salaries over that span are guaranteed. A release before June 1 would create a larger dead money charge than cap savings for the Bills. If the team designated him a post-June 1 cut, though, $17.44MM in cap space would be created while incurring a dead money charge of only $6.37MM. Miller’s scheduled cap hit of $23.81MM certainly leaves the door open to such a move.
The Bills are led along the edge by Gregory Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa. The former is currently on track to play on his $13.39MM fifth-year option in 2025, but it would come as no surprise if the team targeted a long-term extension in his case. The latter, meanwhile, inked a two-year pact last March. Buffalo could continue to depend on those young pass rushers moving forward with 2024 fifth-rounder Javon Solomon in place as a developmental option.
Veteran Dawuane Smoot is a pending free agent, though, and losing him on the open market in addition to cutting Miller would leave the Bills in need of depth additions via free agency and/or the draft. The 2025 class contains a number of highly-regarded pass rush prospects and with 10 projected selections this April Buffalo will have plenty of opportunities to add at least one. Moving on from Miller would of course be a sign the team prefers to go in a younger direction along the edge for 2025 and beyond.
Hes a decent third down or pass rush situation guy these days but not at his current price tag. Certainly not the 3 down guy he once was. But if bills release him he will find work somewhere as a pass rush specialist for a playoff team. Most likely a 1 year 5-10 mill deal. Ravens seem like a good 1 year 5 mill fit
Falcons make sense on a cheap deal as well
Yep.
Easy decision for Beane. You could see Von’s focus was on padding his stats last year, and he came up empty on too many plays.
Eagles
This was a done deal before the 24 season even started. To his credit, Von finished the season pretty strong. He can definitely help somewhere as a situational rusher… The Bills need that cap relief desperately though.
Add Jones, Knox, and I hate to say it, maybe even Milano to that mix (though I hope they can restructure him to a much smaller number).
Correction!!! Just read they won’t save a dime cutting either Milano or Knox. That Knox number is a massive problem. How did they let that happen???
Von is still in love with Denver. They don’t really need his services, but I can see a cheap deal that allows him to retire as a Bronco.
Low character.