Von Miller makes his pitch to NFL teams for 2026 return

Even though the meaty part of the NFL offseason is completed, there are still a few players on the open market seeking employment for the 2026 season. One of the biggest names on that list is edge-rusher Von Miller, and he is lobbying teams for a job next season.

He is confident he will find one.

Von Miller lobbying teams for 2026 season return

Miller spent the 2025 season playing for the Washington Commanders, recording nine sacks. 

Even though he will be 37 years old next season and is clearly a fraction of the player he was at his peak, he remains committed to playing next season.

One of the teams he has lobbied the most for a spot is the Denver Broncos.

Miller played his best football with the Broncos, winning the Super Bowl 50 MVP as a member of the team.

From ESPN's Jeff Legwold on Thursday:

Asked during an appearance in suburban Denver on Wednesday for his Von's Vision Foundation whether he had spoken to Payton during a flag football event in April in Los Angeles about a possible return to the Broncos, Miller said:

"I lobbied, I do lobby, I lobbied publicly, privately, so I lobbied,'' Miller said. "I think there's no question the type of environment I bring to a locker room, I think there's no question to the type of environment I bring to a team.

"I don't want to pat myself on the back, but at 37 years old, I can still roll out the bed and still rush the quarterback. I'm still a great guy in the locker room, I bring great energy, I make sure everybody is ready to go.''

The problem Miller is going to have is that just because he is committed to playing and feels he still can, it does not necessarily mean one of the NFL's 32 teams agrees with him. 

He admitted on Wednesday that it has been "quiet" this offseason.

There is a reason for that.  

His nine sacks in 2025 were his highest total since the 2021 season, and there is some value in that ability to get to the quarterback. But given his age and where his game is at this point, he is going to have to be a very specialized player with limited snap counts. He is no longer a full-time player and has not played more than 37% of a team's defensive snaps since the 2022 season. 

While most teams will subscribe to the idea that you can never have too many pass-rushers, Miller's limitations and age might make it difficult for him to find the team he is looking for.