The Washington Commanders rightfully moved away from the aging veterans general manager Adam Peters relied upon so heavily during the 2025 campaign. This was no more evident than on the defensive edge.
But for one departure approaching his NFL swansong, he twisted the knife into the Commanders by joining their most hated rival.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, edge rusher Von Miller has joined the Dallas Cowboys on a reported one-year deal. This represents an emotional homecoming for the future Pro Football Hall of Famer, who is looking to boost a defense that was among the league's most putrid last season.
Commanders shouldn't lose any sleep over Von Miller joining the Cowboys
This has seemingly been in the works for a while.
The DeSoto, Texas native and former Texas A&M standout made no secret of his intrigue around a move to Dallas. After a period of assessment throughout training camp and one preseason game, the Cowboys have now made their move.
Miller has crossed enemy lines. But nobody associated with the Commanders who watched the eight-time Pro Bowler last season should be fearful.
The Commanders needed more from Miller than they originally envisaged after some brutal injuries on the edge. He gained nine sacks in 37 percent of the team's defensive snaps, but that only tells part of the story.
Unsurprisingly, Miller is a step slow at this stage of his career. He is a liability against the run, so the established veteran is a situational presence and nothing much else.
That might be all the Cowboys need after their defensive regeneration this offseason. But in terms of overall impact, it's not going to move the needle all that much.
Commanders were right to move on from Von Miller in favor of more explosiveness
If this were a decade ago, it would be a different story. But Miller is 37, and even though he believes there is still a lot of good football left, his powers are obviously waning.
As for the Commanders? They looked well stocked on the defensive edge after some significant investments this offseason. And the signs this summer suggest major improvements are coming within coordinator Daronte Jones' schematic concepts.
Odafe Oweh looks like the real deal. So does K'Lavon Chaisson. Dorance Armstrong Jr. is suspended for the first game, but he's working his way back to full health. And the impact made by fifth-round rookie Joshua Josephs could see him occupy a key rotational role right out of the gate.
More importantly, there is youth, explosiveness, and speed. Despite all Miller's qualities during a glittering career, he now boasts none of them.
Miller is now the enemy. He was a means to an end in Washington last season, and he was never going to get another deal. Now, he'll be looking to make them pay.
Whether he can or not is something else entirely.
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