Von Miller Reflects On 2025 FA Decision

After the Bills released Miller in March 2025, he took his time on the open market and eventually signed a one-year, $6.1MM deal with the Commanders in July. The Seahawks also made an offer to Miller, who previously explained quarterback Jayden Daniels‘ presence tipped the scales in the Commanders’ favor.

Daniels won Offensive Rookie of the Year and guided the Commanders to the NFC title game in 2024, giving Miller hope they would get over the hump last season. That didn’t happen, nor did the Commanders come close to a playoff spot during a 12-loss campaign. Meanwhile, after rolling to 14 regular-season wins, QB Sam Darnold and the Seahawks went 3-0 in the playoffs en route to a Lombardi Trophy.

Had Miller signed with the 2025 champions, the 37-year-old would have joined former linebacker Matt Millen as the only players to win a Super Bowl with three different teams (Millen won one of his titles with Washington). While reflecting on the decision to pass on Seattle in a recent appearance on the “89” podcast with Steve Smith and James Palmer, Miller admitted he made a mistake (via Jacob Camenker of USA Today).

“Obviously, I picked the wrong team on that one,” said the eight-time Pro Bowler, who added that he “understood how good the Seattle Seahawks were.”

As for Daniels and the Commanders, Miller pointed out: “His rookie season went all the way to the NFC championship, and last year, he got hit with injuries, not just at the quarterback position, but all over the place. And those are some of the things that you just can’t calculate on teams.”

Miller is right about that. Daniels dealt with three different injuries, including the dislocated elbow he suffered in a 38-14 loss to the Seahawks in Week 9, and made just seven starts. The Commanders also went sizable chunks of time without other key players, most notably No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin (seven absences). According to Sports Info Solutions, Washington’s myriad injuries led to 230 missed points – the second-most in the league.

Despite his advanced age and an injury history that includes two ACL tears and a dislocated peroneal tendon in his ankle, Miller was among the Commanders who stayed healthy in 2025. He played a full 17-game season, albeit in a part-time role. Although he was only on the field for 37% of defensive snaps, Miller racked up nine sacks. He now has 138.5, good for ninth all-time.

Miller will be in position to climb higher on the sack list if he plays in 2026, which is his goal. While Miller publicly expressed interest in reunions with the Broncos and Bills during the spring, he remains unsigned a couple of weeks ahead of training camp. If Miller’s 2025 signing date (July 16) is any indication, he could come off the market soon.