Von Miller Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Commanders’ defensive hopes reignited by Von Miller and Ryan Kerrigan reunion

Originally posted on Riggo's Rag | By Hirdesh Matta | Last updated Jul 26, 2025 7:30 AM ET

After being selected just 14 picks apart in the 2011 NFL Draft, Von Miller and Ryan Kerrigan now find themselves in a unique player-coach situation with the Washington Commanders. And it could reshape their entire defense in 2025.

Kerrigan, who retired after the 2021 season after a prolific 11-year career, started with Washington as a coaching intern. He now serves as the Commanders' assistant defensive line coach/pass rush specialist, helping the next generation to follow in his footsteps.

Meanwhile, Miller continues to chug along, having accumulated 14 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in the three seasons since Kerrigan retired. And now, he's looking to help the Commanders reach the Super Bowl.

Von Miller and Ryan Kerrigan have come full circle with the Commanders

Has he slowed down? Yes, but the fact that Miller is entering his 14th season in the league is a testament to the longevity of his career.

“I can still roll out the bed at 36 years old, with my house shoes on, and still rush the passer," said Miller. That's something Washington can use on the defensive end of the ball.

Von Miller on working with Ryan Kerrigan, his 2011 draft classmate who is now the Commanders’ assistant LBs coach.

Miller and Kerrigan have a combined 225 career sacks. pic.twitter.com/zZGYMVI4GX
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) July 24, 2025

Miller also talked about how Kerrigan pushed him when they were at the NFL Scouting Combine together. Hopefully for Washington, that trend continues.

“Me and [Ryan] Kerrigan, we trained together, coming out for the combine…Just training with Ryan, he got six more reps out of the bench press with me, just training, being beside him. It’s definitely cool, we came in together, we trained together, and now he’s coaching me."

Kerrigan and Miller are a part of what a fellow stalwart, J.J. Watt, has called "one of the best ever," mentioning both the Commanders player and coach by name.

With a coach that finished his career with 95.5 sacks in Kerrigan, and the current NFL leader in sacks among active players (129.5) in Miller, who also happens to lead the annual Sack Summit, Washington is in good hands.

Fellow veteran Frankie Luvu has already learned a lot from Miller, saying he was one of the guys he watched on film and studied when he was early in his career.

“To have him in the building and on our defense, it’s going to bring nothing but juice and winning time moments for us," said Luvu.

Miller is off to a positive start in Washington. If he continues this into the regular season, the Commanders will have another valuable veteran contributor to depend upon in the biggest moments.

And his relationship with Kerrigan will be a big reason why.