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How Von Miller Can Help the Commanders’ Defense in 2025
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders made headlines by signing veteran pass rusher Von Miller. But while his name carries weight, expectations should be realistic—Miller is 36 years old. That doesn’t mean he can’t help. The Commanders don’t need the 8-time Pro Bowler to return to his peak form. Instead, they hope Miller can become a late-game difference-maker—similar to how Yankees legend Mariano Rivera closed out games. Washington struggled to finish on defense last year, and Miller can give them that extra push.

Instead of being seen as the “final piece,” Miller should be considered one of several tools in the Commanders’ defensive plan—a player whose presence can improve the entire unit. One of his former teammates said Miller still has some explosiveness, though injuries have taken a toll.

A coach who faced Miller recently told ESPN that Miller “can still find some great rushes if he wants” and added, “I wouldn’t bet against a motivated Miller.”

His signing is another sign that Washington is serious about winning now. In the past, older players came to D.C. mostly for money. But now, players like Miller, Bobby Wagner, and Zach Ertz are chasing a championship—and believe they can win here.

In fact, Washington now has 22 players aged 30 or older. They’re trying to balance a win-now approach with long-term growth, especially while quarterback Jayden Daniels is on his rookie contract. The veteran signings also cover for past draft mistakes. At some point, they’ll have to get younger.

Why the Commanders Need Miller

Washington’s pass rush was solid in 2024—they ranked 11th in the NFL with 43 sacks. But they struggled when it mattered most. In fourth quarters, they had just five sacks, third-fewest in the league. Their pass rush win rate in the final quarter was only 13.3%. Only Bobby Wagner stood out, with a 31.6% win rate. No one else topped 21.1%.

By comparison, Miller had a 25.5% win rate in fourth quarters with the Bills—third-best in the league. He had 12 fourth-quarter pass rush wins—more than any Commanders player. Dorance Armstrong led the team with 11, while Frankie Luvu had eight. In three playoff games, Miller had three fourth-quarter wins—more than the entire Commanders defense during their own playoff stretch.

If Miller can bring that same energy to Washington, the defense could hold its own in late-game situations—something they struggled with last season. The Commanders won nine one-score games in 2024, with six victories coming on the final offensive drive.

Can Miller Stay Healthy?

Miller played in all 16 games he was eligible for in 2024, including the playoffs. However, he also served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He missed five games in 2022 after tearing his ACL, which affected his play the following season—he didn’t record a single sack in 12 games in 2023. He’s had two ACL tears in the same knee and missed all of 2020 due to a foot injury.

Still, Washington doesn’t need Miller to play every snap. They just need him healthy for the fourth quarter.

“I could have easily sat out all of last season,” Miller told SI.com. “But I couldn’t do my teammates like that… I shouldn’t have been out there. I feel like people are judging me on that, so it’s making me a little angry, to be honest.”

A Role Model On and Off the Field

Head coach Dan Quinn has used veterans like Miller before. In 2016, when Quinn coached the Falcons, he brought in future Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney in a similar role. That season, the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl. That’s also why Quinn wanted Bobby Wagner—he values leadership in every position group.

Wagner became a mentor to young players, especially to quarterback Jayden Daniels. Teammates look up to him, and his leadership is already making a difference.

Miller can do the same for Washington’s pass rushers. In 2017, he started the “Sack Summit,” a yearly event where defensive linemen come together to learn from each other. Even though his style is different from Washington’s other edge rushers, his knowledge can benefit the whole group.

Washington’s defensive line has players who can each record five to eight sacks—though Luvu might reach double digits. Miller could also make life easier for interior linemen like Daron Payne, Jer’Zhan Newton, and Javon Kinlaw by drawing extra blockers. That’s something he did in Buffalo, even if the results weren’t always visible in stats.

The team might also move players like Armstrong and Deatrich Wise Jr. inside on passing downs to take advantage of mismatches.

Helping the Offense Too

Miller’s presence could even help rookie left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. The team expects their 1-on-1 matchups in practice this summer to speed up Conerly’s development. That’s the type of player Miller has always been—one who makes everyone around him better.

It also helps that general manager Adam Peters worked in Denver during Miller’s early years with the Broncos.

“I’ve always been a believer iron sharpens iron, and this is a place where we could do that,” Miller said. “It’s all to make us all better. I’m making them better and they’re making me better. So it’s not about our quarterbacks or their quarterbacks. We’re all getting better.”

What exactly Miller brings in 2025 remains to be seen. But his experience, leadership, and late-game ability give Washington a valuable asset as they push for a playoff run.

This report used information from ESPN.

This article first appeared on The Forkball and was syndicated with permission.

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