When the Washington Commanders opted not to bring edge rusher Von Miller back this offseason, they probably didn't expect him to land in the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys. But after the veteran's debut goose egg, general manager Adam Peters should feel vindicated.
Miller played 11 snaps against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. He didn't register a stat at all as the Cowboys took a humbling loss at MetLife Stadium to start the campaign.
Nobody was expecting miracles from Miller. But such a lackluster output when he was so eager to make an immediate contribution for the Cowboys cannot be seen as anything other than disappointing.
Von Miller's regression is why Commanders didn't offer him another deal
The Commanders brought Miller in last season, and he finished as the team's sack leader as injuries decimated the defense. The future Pro Football Hall of Famer wanted to return, but Peters had other ideas. After taking his time before choosing a destination, he settled on Dallas, believing the squad could go deep into the playoffs.
Based on their opening-day efforts, those ambitions seem far off.
Miller didn't make a tackle. He didn't generate quarterback pressure. He isn't the dominant performer of old, but he wasn't the only Cowboys defender to fall flat with the national primetime audience watching.
Sound familiar?
The former Texas A&M game-wrecker chose the Commanders because he thought they were close to winning it all after reaching the NFC Championship Game. That didn't happen, and unless Dallas makes major improvements, Miller will have backed the wrong horse for the second straight year.
It's only Week 1. Anomalies happen as teams adjust to competitive games again, and opening weekend brings more shocks than any other. But for Miller and the Cowboys' defense, this inept showing mirrored the unit that dropped to laughable depths in 2025.
Commanders will be looking to limit Von Miller's influence in Week 2
The Commanders will be cracking a wry smile at Dallas' misfortune. Their new-look pass-rushing room caused havoc against the Philadelphia Eagles, and even though the result didn't go Washington's way, the explosiveness, creativity, and aggression under Daronte Jones were night and day compared to last season.
As for Miller? He'll look to make a bigger impression this weekend. And he shouldn't lack motivation.
Miller comes up against his ex-employers when Washington visits AT&T Stadium in what's quickly become a must-win game for two bitter division rivals.
Both lost in Week 1. Both cannot afford to start 0-2. And both have enormous personal pride on the line.
There will be revenge on Miller's mind. He left the Commanders on good terms, but he also felt bitterness that his pleas for a new contract went unanswered.
He'll be looking to make Peters pay for going in this direction. But despite the obvious concerns about the offensive line, Washington shouldn't have too much to worry about.
Miller had a debut to forget in Dallas. He's a little older, a little slower, and a little less responsive after the snap. But he will know the strengths and weaknesses of every Washington lineman in his path this weekend.
And if a 37-year-old Miller ends up torching the Commanders during whatever time he's on the field, they have much bigger problems than we thought.
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