Commanders ‘Looked At’ 5-Time Pro Bowler Before Von Miller Deal

   

Snagging Von Miller off the veteran market solved a not inconsiderable pass rush problem for the Washington Commanders, but the team could’ve gone in a different direction, toward a pair of younger edge-rushers with nine Pro Bowl berths between them.

Five of those Pro Bowl nods belong to Joey Bosa. He was someone the Commanders “had looked at” during 2025 NFL free agency. That’s according to ESPN’s John Keim, who also named former Dallas Cowboys stud DeMarcus Lawrence as being on the Commanders’ wish-list.

Lawrence played for Washington head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. in Dallas, but Bosa would arguably have been a more high-profile addition. Ultimately, the 2016 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year swapped life with the Los Angeles Chargers for Miller’s former team the Buffalo Bills.

The Commanders settled, of sorts, for Miller. He’s more than a mere consolation prize as a former Super Bowl MVP with Hall of Fame credentials, but Miller is also 36 and has been dealing with reduced playing time and diminished production in recent years.

 

Bosa has his own issues with durability, but he also possesses the same star power and flair for generating pressure as Miller. Albeit with more versatility.

Commanders Pursued Versatile Pass-Rushers, Including Joey Bosa

They didn’t get Bosa and Lawrence joined the Seattle Seahawks, but both fit a certain profile the Commanders were obviously keen on adding to their defensive front. A profile defined by multiplicity.

Lawrence played end and tackle for Quinn with the Cowboys, while Bosa has also spent his career moving across D-lines. Like he did on this play as a 3-technique interior rusher against the Chicago Bears in 2023, highlighted by Aaron Day of DLineVids.

Bosa is still able to bring the heat off either edge or from the inside. He would’ve expanded the rush plan for the Commanders, provided the 30-year-old could shake the injury bug that’s cost him 36 games since entering the pros as a third-overall draft pick.

The injuries were a concern the Commanders wouldn’t have avoided, but the playing profile might’ve created more options than Miller.

Von Miller Set for Specific Role With Commanders

He was once a do-all playmaker who operated as a traditional defensive end, standup edge-rusher and off-ball linebacker, but Miller’s role has become streamlined with age. The 14th-year veteran is now a situational pass-rushing end best suited for third-down work.

Although Miller hasn’t exactly made the most of his select opportunities, JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports believes the Commanders will have “a plan to mazimize his snaps.”

A snap count makes sense, but the good news is a surprising statistic bodes well for Miller still being able to produce as a 30-something in the winter of his career. Whether his likely role as an edge-rusher in obvious passing situations will give the Commanders the boost they need defensively, is another matter.

The rest of the pass rush rotation is loaded with more physical, but less dynamic athletes better suited to setting the edge against the run. Ends like Clelin Ferrell, Jalyn Holmes, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Jacob Martin.

Some versatility is offered by holdover Dorance Armstrong Jr. another of Quinn’s former charges with the Cowboys. He can play inside and out, but Armstrong is still yet to log double-digits sacks in a single season during his career.

Miller has a lot to do to elevate the game-wrecking potential of this group. If he can’t, the Commanders will wish general manager Adam Peters had stumped up the cash for Bosa.