Bills Release Von Miller Amidst Age, Production, and Leadership Questions
ORCHARD PARK, NY – Questions have been swirling around Von Miller’s future with the Buffalo Bills, with fans and analysts alike openly debating whether the NFL legend is showing signs of age and if he can still provide the leadership and on-field impact the team needs. The Buffalo Bills have since made a decisive move, releasing the veteran pass rusher.
Miller, who turned 36 in March 2025, signed a six-year, $120 million contract with the Bills in 2022. While he was brought in to be a vital piece of a Super Bowl push and a crucial leader in the locker room, his tenure in Buffalo has been affected by injuries and, according to reports, an overall underwhelming investment for the team.
After a strong start in 2022 with eight sacks in 10 games, Miller suffered a torn ACL, an injury from which he never fully recovered to his prior form. In 2023, he played 12 regular-season games without recording a single sack. In his final season with Buffalo (2024), he recorded six sacks in 13 regular-season games but had no sacks in three playoff appearances. Throughout his three seasons with the Bills, he played in 36 of a potential 50 games, with all 11 of his starts coming in his first season. His playing time was severely limited, averaging only 21.5 snaps per regular-season outing in 2024.
Beyond his on-field production, Miller also missed four games in 2023 due to an NFL suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
The decision to release Miller was primarily a salary cap-saving move, freeing up approximately $8.4 million for the Bills. General Manager Brandon Beane noted the difficulty of the decision, stating his appreciation for what Miller brought to the team, including a “championship mentality.” Both sides have reportedly expressed openness to a potential return for Miller, though his future is currently murky as he enters free agency.
Miller himself has acknowledged his age, stating, “I can get out of bed and rush the passer and get sacks. I can fall out of bed and do that I can roll off the bed and get sacks in my house shoes still today at 36 years old.” He also emphasized his value in the locker room, stating, “From the star quarterback to the new, undrafted rookies…I just have that ability.” However, he also admitted that playing special teams is “not for him anymore” due to his age.
While Miller is a future Hall of Famer and the NFL’s active leader in career sacks (129.5), the questions regarding his consistent elite production, durability, and leadership role in the context of his high salary ultimately led the Bills to move on. The team’s priority has shifted to locking in younger core players and managing their cap space effectively.
