Ex-Commanders Coach’s Honest Take on Von Miller Addition

Following an impressive playoff run, which stopped just short of a Super Bowl appearance, the Washington Commanders are hoping to get right back to the NFC Championship game and find different results.

The team has put together a strategy of adding seasoned veterans, with the hope that experience outweighs the unknown upside, while Washington believes its championship window is currently open.

Von Miller is the latest addition for the Commanders. The 36-year-old pass rusher has plenty of experience and carries a loaded resume at this stage of his career. Some celebrated the addition. Others got critical, considering Miller has passed his prime.

What does the former Commanders coach, Jay Gruden, think about the addition?

“It’s a good signing,” Gruden said, according to Commanders Wire. “A veteran guy who knows how to rush the passer. He’s not going to be much of a run-stopping guy in Coach Quinn’s defense. But they do need some juice on third down and five yards plus, and he will give them that added spark.”

The Commanders signed Miller, knowing the deal would be a low-risk, potentially high-reward scenario. With Miller’s demand on the open market being at its lowest, the Commanders brought him on a short-term contract.

“It’s a one-year deal, so you are not tied to him for a long time,” Gruden added. “It’s a good thing, because they had a good chance in OTAs to look at some of their young pass rushers, to see what they had. They probably realized, ‘Hey, we need a little spark. We need one more guy who can come in on third down and provide a spark.’ Whether he makes the team or not is yet to be seen, but he would be a good addition for those types of situational games.”

Miller entered the NFL back in 2011. Coming out of Texas A&M, Miller was the second-overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He landed with the Denver Broncos, where he spent a large chunk of his career.

During a decade-long run with the Broncos, Miller appeared in 142 regular-season games. He racked up over 500 tackles, 225 quarterback hits, and 110.5 sacks. He had four playoff runs in Denver, with the 2015 playoff run resulting in a Super Bowl victory.

In 2021, Miller joined the Los Angeles Rams for eight games. He would participate in the playoffs for the first time since his title win in 2015, and found himself back on the Super Bowl stage. Miller earned his second Super Bowl ring with the Rams.

For the past three seasons, Miller played for the Buffalo Bills. He leaves New York with 36 games under his belt. Last season, Miller produced 17 tackles and eight quarterback hits, along with six sacks in 13 games with the Bills.

Year 14 for the former first-rounder will go down with the Commanders.

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