The Washington Commanders entered last offseason needing help at edge rusher. Washington had more needs than most teams would have coming off a 12-win season. So, general manager Adam Peters focused on upgrading the offensive line around franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels and adding wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Peters didn’t ignore his edge-rushing need, checking in on stars who had requested trades, such as Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson. However, those players went nowhere, with Garrett signing a new record-breaking contract and Hendrickson remaining at odds with the Bengals. Instead, Peters signed journeyman Jacob Martin and future Hall of Famer Von Miller.
While Washington’s defense has struggled, Martin and Miller have proved worthwhile additions. Martin has played 57% of the Commanders‘ defensive snaps and has 4.5 sacks. Not bad for someone signed to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million.
Miller, 36, signed with Washington just before training camp to a one-year deal for $6.1 million, worth up to $10.5 million with potential incentives. Miller has played in every game for the Commanders, participating in 37% of Washington’s defensive snaps.
Before Miller signed with the Commanders, he checked in on a reunion with his former team, the Denver Broncos. Denver politely declined, and Miller understood why.
“I did reach out to the Denver Broncos,” Miller said on his “Free Range” podcast, via Jon Heath of Broncos Wire. “I tried to be on the Denver Broncos as well, but it was just a short conversation with me and (Denver GM) George Paton.”
Both Miller and Martin have provided good value for the money for Washington. It’s not their fault that the Commanders failed to land a game-changing pass rusher and their top edge, Dorance Armstrong, was lost for the season in Week 7 with a torn ACL. Washington also lost defensive ends Deatrich Wise and Javontae Jean-Baptiste with serious injuries.
Martin has enjoyed his experience with the Commanders, despite the team’s struggles. He spent the first 10.5 seasons of his NFL career with the Broncos, setting several franchise records, winning a Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP award.
Miller acknowledged why he wasn’t a fit for the 2025 Broncos.
“They both play special teams, and they do all the grunt work,” Miller said of Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman, Denver’s backup edge rushers behind starters Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper. “You know me, I’m a three-point shooter. Like, I’m gonna come in, I’m gonna shoot the three-pointer. Like, when I’m in the game, I’m ball-hogging, I’m just trying to make the play, then they take me out. But they didn’t really need that, you know. They didn’t really need that this year.”
In saying he is a three-point shooter, Miller acknowledged his role for the Commanders was to come off the bench to rush the passer in limited snaps. In Denver, the backups are playing on special teams, something 36-year-old future Hall of Famers do not do.
On Sunday, Washington hosts the Broncos on the Week 13 edition of Sunday Night Football. Miller made it clear there are no hard feelings between him and his former team.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Von Miller talks potential return with Broncos
