On March 9, 2025, the Buffalo Bills officially parted ways with defensive star Von Miller, a long-anticipated move that freed up approximately $8.4 million in salary cap space under the NFL’s cap limit. However, this story is more than just a financial decision. It’s the journey of a football legend who sacrificed both money and reputation to stay in Buffalo, and now, the door for a dramatic reunion aimed at a Super Bowl remains ajar. Could Miller and the Bills write the next chapter of their championship dream?
A Dramatic Journey in Buffalo
Von Miller joined the Buffalo Bills in 2022 with a massive six-year, $120 million contract, carrying the expectation of being the final piece to propel the team to a Super Bowl. With two championship rings from the Denver Broncos (2015) and Los Angeles Rams (2021), plus a Super Bowl 50 MVP award, Miller was seen as the “secret weapon” to help the Bills overcome their nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, Miller’s tenure in Buffalo was anything but smooth. After just 11 games in the 2022 season, he suffered a serious ACL injury during a Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. In 2023, Miller admitted he “shouldn’t have played” as he was still recovering from the injury, leading to a disappointing season with zero sacks in 12 games. Additionally, an off-field controversy involving a domestic violence allegation in 2023 (though no charges were filed) resulted in a four-game NFL suspension in 2024.
Despite these setbacks, the 2024 season saw a resurgent Miller. He recorded 6 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, and a standout 39-yard fumble return in a Divisional Round win over the Baltimore Ravens. While he couldn’t help the Bills get past the Chiefs in the AFC Championship, Miller’s contributions showed he remained a critical factor in clutch moments.
A Selfless Sacrifice from a Legend
One of Von Miller’s most memorable moments in Buffalo didn’t happen on the field but in the front office. In the previous offseason, as the Bills faced financial pressures, Miller agreed to a significant pay cut from his guaranteed salary to remain with the team. This move was hailed by general manager Brandon Beane as “unprecedented” for a player of Miller’s Hall of Fame caliber. “He did something very few in his position would do,” Beane said at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Miller’s sacrifice not only helped the Bills navigate their financial constraints but also demonstrated his love for the team and the Bills Mafia fanbase. In a January 2025 interview, Miller affirmed, “As long as my key card still works in this building, I’ll keep showing up and trying to make the Super Bowl dream a reality. I want to be in Buffalo.”
A Farewell with the Door Left Open
The Bills’ decision to release Miller in March 2025 was a tough but necessary one. With a base salary of $17.1 million and occupying 8.5% of the team’s cap space, Miller became a financial burden for a team looking to rejuvenate its defensive line. The move came shortly after the Bills signed Greg Rousseau to a four-year, $80 million extension and added Joey Bosa, signaling a shift to a younger defensive core.
However, both the Bills and Miller have left the door open for a reunion. According to sources from ESPN and NFL Network, the two sides are open to negotiating a new, lower-cost contract that would align with Miller’s role as a situational pass-rush specialist. General manager Brandon Beane emphasized, “The door is always open for Von. He’s a special part of this team.”
Meanwhile, at 36 years old, Miller shows no signs of retiring. With 129.5 career sacks, he ranks 16th on the NFL’s all-time sack list and is just 0.5 sacks away from cracking the top 15. Several contending teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, and even Miller’s former team, the Denver Broncos, are reportedly interested in signing him. Analysts from Sporting News and CBS Sports predict Miller could join the Ravens or Eagles in pursuit of a third Super Bowl ring.
Will the Super Bowl Call Miller and the Bills?
The biggest question now is whether Von Miller and the Buffalo Bills can reunite to chase a Super Bowl. For the Bills, who have amassed 61 wins since 2020—the most in the NFL over a five-year span without reaching a Super Bowl—the pressure to win a championship is immense. With quarterback Josh Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP, leading the charge, and a bolstered defense featuring Rousseau, Bosa, and rookie Landon Jackson, the Bills remain a formidable contender.
For Miller, he brings not only experience but the mentality of a champion. “I came here to have a lot of chances to win a Super Bowl. I believe this team was built to do that,” Miller said in 2023. If the Bills and Miller can strike a deal for a reunion, the combination of his veteran savvy and the team’s firepower could be the key to finally defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, who have eliminated Buffalo in four of the last five postseasons.
Conclusion
The parting of ways between the Buffalo Bills and Von Miller is a bittersweet chapter in their shared journey. Miller, with his sacrifice and devotion to the Bills Mafia, has left an indelible mark. Whether his future lies in Buffalo, Denver, or with another contending team, the hunger for another Super Bowl burns bright in the heart of the Super Bowl 50 hero. For the Bills, their dream of a first-ever championship is closer than ever, and a reunion with Miller could be the catalyst to turn that dream into reality.
Bills Mafia, keep the faith. The door to the Super Bowl is waiting to be opened, and Von Miller might just hold the key.