Millions in Bonus Money at Stake for Commanders’ 7-Time NFL All-Pro

The concerns about Von Miller, on the surface, are that the former Super Bowl MVP will only be on the field for about half the time for the Washington Commanders in 2025.

That’s a valid concern. Miller hasn’t played a full season since 2018, when he was still with the Denver Broncos, including missing all of 2020 with an ankle injury.

For the Commanders, it appears to be something they considered when they agreed to a 1-year ,$6.1 million contract with Miller on July 16.

“Edge rusher Von Miller won’t be an expensive addition for the Washington Commanders,” ESPN’s John Keim wote on July 19. “Miller’s one-year deal will pay him $6.1 million, a source confirmed Saturday, with the ability for him to make more. Miller agreed to a deal with the Commanders on Wednesday and will be at their facility Monday to take his physical and sign the contract. He can make up to $10.5 million through incentives, the source said.”

Commanders rookies reported to training camp on July 18, with veterans scheduled to report on July 22.

Miller One of NFL’s Greatest Pass Rushers of All Time

Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft by the Broncos, heads into the twilight of his career cemented as one of the greatest pass rushers in football history.

Miller was named MVP of Super Bowl 50 for the Broncos in a win over the Carolina Panthers and won another Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams following the 2021 season. He’s also a 7-time NFL All-Pro, 8-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team. Miller had 6.0 sacks with the Buffalo Bills in 2024 and has 129.5 career sacks headed into 2025 — the career leader in sacks among active players.

According to Pro Football Reference’s Hall of Fame Monitor (HOFm), Miller’s HOFm rating of 100.48 puts him at No. 8 in NFL history for outside linebackers and ahead of Pro Football Hall of Famers Derrick Thomas, Kevin Greene and DeMarcus Ware.

“Eight-time Pro Bowl OLB Von Miller is signing with the #Commanders, sources tell The Insiders,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account on July 16. “Miller has won Super Bowls with the #Broncos and #Rams. Now he’ll try to earn another ring in Washington.”

Commanders in Desperate Need of Edge Rushers

Adding Miller addresses the most pressing position need for the Commanders, who are coming off their first appearance in the NFC Championship Game since 1991.

Miller was released by the Bills on March 9 in a salary cap move that saved them $8.397 million in salary cap space. Miller signed a 6-year, $120 million contract with the Bills in March 2022 which included $51.4 million in guaranteed money. With his new contract, Miller could surpass $200 million in career earnings.

The Commanders sacks leader from 2024, former No. 3 overall pick Dante Fowler Jr., left for the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys on a 1-year, $6 million contract in free agency.

The big problem for the Commanders hasn’t been getting sacks so much as when they get them. While Washington’s 43.0 sacks were 11th in the NFL in 2024, they had just 5.0 sacks in the fourth quarter, ranking them 30th out of 32 teams.