Bills' McDermott Says Von Miller Has ‘Something to Prove’
Despite maintaining their spot among the top teams in the AFC, the Buffalo Bills enter the upcoming season still in search of a conference title, which has eluded them throughout the team’s recent renaissance.
In fact, one may say that the Bills are marching into 2024 with “something to prove.”
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Whether Buffalo is playing with any extra motivation (i.e. proving the doubters wrong) is still a matter of conjecture. However, coach Sean McDermott believes that veteran linebacker Von Miller will be making a concerted effort to re-establish himself as one of the AFC’s best at his position.
“I know some people would say age and, again, the injury, and that’s real, but you’re talking about a guy also — and this is where the hope comes from — a guy that’s going to be in the Hall of Fame,” McDermott told Eric Wood during a recent appearance on the Centered on Buffalo podcast. “He’s got an incredible mindset and I think he has something to prove, and I think he would say that. We’re excited about seeing how that all flushes out over the course of the next few months.”
Despite his prime years having passed, Miller is still capable of being a potent pass-rusher in Buffalo’s defense. The 35-year-old compiled eight sacks, 21 tackles (10 for loss), two passes-defensed and one forced fumble in 11 games during his first season with the Bills in 2022. The totals would have undoubtedly been higher had he not suffered an ACL injury, which sidelined him through the start of the 2023 season.
Miller struggled after returning and fell behind other Bills edge rushers on the depth chart during the season. In what was by far the least-productive season of his career, Miller logged three combined tackles and zero sacks in 12 regular-season games for Buffalo.
Though he may have his difficulties, Miller’s wisdom and experience should be enough to save his job in Buffalo.
Should McDermott’s prediction come true, the Bills defense may be primed to instill fear into its opponents this season.