Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller put up a goose egg in the sack column last season, playing 12 games coming off a 2022 torn ACL. Miller recently told Sports Illustrated that he probably shouldn't have been on the field in 2023.
"My biggest individual goal is just getting back to playing my style of football," he said. "It's crazy how you get injured, and you come back, and you really shouldn't have even been playing, and people judge you by a product on the field. I could have easily sat out all of last season, but I couldn't do my teammates like that. I felt like being later in my career, I didn't want to sacrifice any of my years. But at the same time, I shouldn't have been out there."
Miller certainly looked like a player struggling to find his footing during his age-34 season. He lacked the burst we'd become used to seeing. Given his injury history, the question is whether another year removed from the ACL tear will bring spring to his step or Father Time will claim his latest career.
Miller, who took a pay cut this offseason to remain in Buffalo, vowed to bounce back in 2024.
"I feel like people are judging me on that [last season], so it's making me a little bit angry, to be honest," he said. "It's making me tap into a Von that I haven't been in a while. I just want to get back to playing my style of football. Get back to talking s---, f------ making sacks, dancing, and making plays for my teammates. That's been my whole mindset this offseason."
The Bills are counting on Miller to contribute as a rotational edge behind Gregory Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa. It's a shallow pass-rushing corps in Buffalo this season, so getting production from Miller is paramount if Sean McDermott's crew is to pester the quarterback consistently.
"The biggest team goal is bringing the first Super Bowl to Buffalo," Miller said. "Everyone feels like they deserve it, and they work hard, but Buffalo Bills fans and Western New York, they deserve it, man. They do so much for our community and our football team. Josh Allen is an amazing player and person -- he is one of the most amazing people that I have ever been around in my life. These guys deserve it, and I'm going to do everything in my power to give it to them."
In an offseason of change, Buffalo is being discounted in the AFC race. Those projections ignore the talent that still resides on the roster, starting with the star quarterback Allen. If Miller provides even a sliver of his Hall of Fame production, it will help the Bills remain in the mix in the conference.
