DeMarcus Ware reacts to Von Miller joining Cowboys

Von Miller. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

'This is all he wanted': DeMarcus Ware reacts to Von Miller joining Cowboys

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 17, 2026 4:56 PM ET

Perhaps nobody is more excited for linebacker Von Miller to join the Dallas Cowboys than former Denver Broncos teammate DeMarcus Ware.

On Sunday night, Texas native Miller, who played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, agreed to a one-year deal with the Cowboys. After learning that his friend would be returning to the Lone Star State, Ware FaceTimed Miller to congratulate him on achieving his dream of playing for his boyhood team.

DeMarcus Ware reacts to Von Miller joining Cowboys

Ware, who played for the Cowboys from 2005-13, told ESPN's Todd Archer for a story published Monday that Miller first told him of his aspiration to play for Dallas after a matchup against Denver in 2013. He thinks it's fitting Miller will finally get that chance in what could be the last stop of his career.

"I don't think the Dallas Cowboys know how big of an opportunity this is for them, but not just for them, for Von, too," the Pro Football Hall of Famer said. "For him, putting that jersey on, this is like icing on the cake. Like this is all he wanted. I know how that feels.

"I know a lot of people might downplay it, but right now this dude is like a kid in a candy store."

#CowboysNation pic.twitter.com/XYJRIHIQhW
— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare) August 17, 2026

Ware said the Cowboys were the only team that showed keen interest in the 37-year-old pass-rusher in free agency. He believes Miller will reward Dallas for that, thanks to his ability to continue producing and the knowledge he can pass on to younger players. (Note: Miller had nine sacks in 17 games for the Washington Commanders in 2025.)

Ware mentored Miller while playing for the Broncos from 2014-16. His tutelage helped the eight-time Pro Bowler win Super Bowl 50 MVP. Now, it could be his turn to play that role for LBs Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence, a 2026 first-round pick.

"It's the same mentality as when I came to Denver," Ware said. "It's like, 'I know I'm not going to get 20 sacks,' but I do know that he can make all the guys around him [better]. ... As a conglomerate, everybody's going to get better from the expertise, how to prep for the game, all the little keys and things he can teach, and you're still probably going to get 8-11 sacks out of this guy. I would sign up for that any day."

Miller's no longer in his prime, but adding him could still be a positive for the Cowboys, who are aiming to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023. If he helps Dallas accomplish that goal, Ware could FaceTime Miller in another congratulatory call.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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