The Washington Commanders have spent much of their offseason trying to come to a resolution with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin on his contract situation. That has resulted in some of the other big storylines surrounding the team getting overlooked, such as legendary linebacker Von Miller‘s arrival in town.
Miller signed a one-year, $6.1 million contract with the Commanders in free agency, helping shore up their pass rush as they look to make a Super Bowl run in 2025. And while Miller is well aware that he’s getting up there in age, he offered some interesting comments on retirement that will surely catch fans’ attention.
Von Miller Not Thinking About Retirement Just Yet
Miller was selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, and throughout his career, he has solidified himself as one of the greatest pass rushers of his generation. Miller has been selected to 10 Pro Bowls, three All-Pro First Teams, while also winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011. He enters the 2025 season with 129.5 sacks, which is good for No. 25 on the NFL’s all-time list.
As he’s gotten older, Miller has become more of a pass-rush specialist, taking the field in obvious passing situations and going after the quarterback. In 2024, Miller played 13 games with the Buffalo Bills, racking up 17 tackles and six sacks. While he may not be the all-around force he once was, Miller still adds value as a pass rusher who can get to the quarterback.
After three years with the Bills, Miller decided to join Washington and help them try to get over the hump after their breakout 2024 campaign. At 36 years old, it’s clear that the end of Miller’s football career is just around the corner, and while some folks have wondered if this could be his final season, the former Texas A&M Aggies star made it clear he’s not thinking about retirement just yet.
“One of the realizations that I had in my last Ayahuasca retreat, was why rush it?” Miller said on “Glory Daze.” “Like, why rush the retirement thing? I’m still playing. Jason Peters. He just retired. He was 42 years old. I’m 36. If I can still play football, Imma play football. At the same time, you don’t want to get kicked out of the league, but I don’t want to leave early.”
Von Miller Hoping to Make Immediate Impact with Commanders
GettyASHBURN, VA – JULY 25 : Washington Commanders linebacker Von Miller during day one of training camp in Ashburn, VA on July 23, 2025. (Photo by John McDonnell/ for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
After losing Dante Fowler Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys, the Commanders knew they were going to need some pass-rushing help this offseason. That led them to Miller, and while he’s not in his prime, he’s still a guy that opposing offenses have to worry about every time he’s on the field. If he can simply pressure the quarterback on a consistent basis, that will help open things up for the rest of the offense.
Washington is going to face some heightened expectations heading into the 2025 campaign after it made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game last season, and it’s going to be tough to improve on their 2024 season. If they can milk another great season out of Miller, though, that would go a long way to help the Commanders in their quest to find their way to the Super Bowl after coming up just short last year.
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