He “has something to prove”

Adversity is something that Buffalo Bills defensive end Von Miller has faced countless times during his professional career. You don’t become the NFL’s all-time active leader without facing some challenges along the way.

But he has probably never faced such adversity.

The questions currently swirling around Miller aren’t necessarily about his health or potential role, but rather his abilities. Fans and pundits alike are wondering if the 35-year-old has anything left in the tank, if he’s a player who can contribute to a team today or if he’s simply riding the coattails of a career of Hall of Fame caliber.

A four-star high school recruit and former second overall pick, having his talent questioned is unfamiliar territory for Miller, but it’s not unwarranted. He’s coming off a 2023 season in which the Buffalo faithful didn’t consistently see his patented ghost move, but a ghost; he was largely impactless for the vast majority of the campaign, recording a career-low total of 17 quarterback pressures per PFF, along with three total tackles and zero sacks.

Related: 7 interesting storylines to watch throughout the Bills’ 2024 NFL training camp

It was a disappointing season, but not unexpected for Miller, who was still recovering from a torn 2022 ACL throughout the campaign. He returned to the field less than 11 months after suffering the initial injury; fans didn’t necessarily expect him to be anything like the MIller of old, but they also didn’t expect him to be a notable weak spot on the defensive line.

Now, more than a calendar year removed from the disease, the veteran is eager to prove the doubters wrong, to show the naysayers that he is still Von Miller. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott is excited to see what the once-dominant passer will bring to the team in the upcoming campaign; during a recent appearance on the Buffalo-centric podcast, the sideline boss spoke about Miller, suggesting he thinks there’s still something left in the tank.

Related: Former Bills rival calls quarterback Josh Allen ‘best 3 player’

“He got hurt on Thanksgiving (in 2022), unfortunately,” McDermott said. “Last year was last year. It was kind of (one of) those, and that’s what you expect, it’s the first year without an ACL, it’s a tough climb. We are now entering our second year injury free, excited to see what he can do, how he moves and what impact he will have on our team. I think, quite honestly, you never have a player or a person like Von Miller.

“I know some people would say the age and, again, the injury, and that’s real, but you’re also talking about a guy, and that’s where the hope comes from, a guy who’s going to to be in the Hall of Fame, he’s got an incredible mindset and, I think, he’s got something to prove, and I think he would say that. We’re excited to see how this all plays out over the next few years. month.

Miller, who originally joined Buffalo on a six-year, $120 million contract during the 2022 offseason, took a fairly significant pay cut to remain with the club this spring. While eager to see what type of impact he can provide more than a year after his torn ACL, Buffalo isn’t necessarily expecting elite pass production from Miller, as the The 35-year-old currently projects as a high-potential rotation player. defensive end. That said, the team is excited about his potential, with defensive coordinator Bobby Babich telling reporters earlier this month that there have been “flashes of (old) Von Miller” throughout the season 2023.

—Benefit from free bill coverage Buffalo Bills on SI—