The Washington Commanders’ pass rush in 2025? Let’s just say it left a lot to be desired. When Von Miller - a 36-year-old veteran signed late in the preseason - ends up leading your team in sacks, that’s less a triumph and more a reflection of the unit’s overall struggles.
To be clear, this isn’t a knock on Miller. The future Hall of Famer was brought in to be a rotational piece, a situational disruptor with limited snaps.
Instead, he was thrust into a much larger role due to injuries and underwhelming production from the rest of the edge group - and still managed to produce. Nine sacks and 19 pressures while playing just 37% of the team’s defensive snaps?
That’s impressive, especially for a player in his 15th season.
But it also underscores the Commanders’ lack of consistency and depth at a premium position. Miller's output was a bright spot, sure, but it also highlighted how much help this defense needs on the edge.
Now comes the offseason question: What’s next for Von Miller?
Miller has made it known he wants to keep playing - and that he’d like to return to Washington. But wanting to stay and being part of the team’s long-term plans are two very different things. With new general manager Adam Peters looking to reshape this roster, bringing back a 36-year-old pass rusher, even one as decorated as Miller, might not align with the team’s vision moving forward.
If Miller does hit the open market, there are whispers he could find a new home - and one possible destination that’s come up is Las Vegas.
The Raiders are entering a new chapter with Klint Kubiak taking over as head coach, and they’re expected to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in April. There’s a sentimental connection here: Von Miller played some of his best football under Klint’s father, Gary Kubiak, during his Denver days. That kind of familiarity could carry weight, especially for a veteran looking to write the final chapter of a storied career.
But here’s the thing - sentiment only goes so far in the NFL.
The Raiders are in the early stages of a full-scale rebuild. They’ve got holes all over the roster, and reports suggest star pass rusher Maxx Crosby may be looking for a way out.
That’s not exactly the kind of environment a veteran like Miller, who’s chasing one more shot at a ring, is likely to embrace. Unless the market is bone-dry, it’s hard to imagine him choosing a team that’s years away from contending.
Financially, Miller is projected to land another one-year deal in the $5.84 million range - a reasonable number for a player with his résumé and recent production. But whether it’s with the Raiders, the Commanders, or another team altogether, the bigger question is what Washington does next on the edge.
New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is stepping into a situation that demands more explosiveness and youth off the edge. The Commanders need to find players who can consistently pressure the quarterback and set the edge in the run game - not just flashes of production, but sustained impact.
If Washington wants to turn the page and build a defense that can truly compete, they’ll need to get younger, faster, and more dynamic on the outside. Miller gave them everything he had in 2025 - and he still has something left in the tank. But the Commanders have to decide if that’s enough to justify another year, or if it’s time to invest in the future.
One thing’s clear: if Daronte Jones is going to make his mark, the edge rush needs a serious upgrade. Nothing less will do.