Von Miller's biggest weakness isn't a concern to Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders
Washington makes a splash before training camp by adding eight-time Pro Bowler Von Miller to help bolster the Commanders' pass-rushing unit, and he fits what they need perfectly.Miller obviously isn't the type of edge rusher he was in the past, or even an every-down type of player like Trey Hendrickson, or T.J. Watt, but Washington […]
Washington makes a splash before training camp by adding eight-time Pro Bowler Von Miller to help bolster the Commanders' pass-rushing unit, and he fits what they need perfectly.
Miller obviously isn't the type of edge rusher he was in the past, or even an every-down type of player like Trey Hendrickson, or T.J. Watt, but Washington made this call for a reason. The Commanders don't need the Super Bowl MVP to come in and play every snap – they needed to fill a void.
Miller's biggest weakness the last couple of years has been his availability, but that's not a big deal for Dan Quinn and Co.
The future Hall of Famer has battled multiple injuries that limited him to 36 games over the last three years. It gets worse when you really zoom in, too, as Miller hasn't played more than 50% of defensive snaps in a regular season game since Week 11 of the 2022 season.
The reasons are a mixture of injury, recovery management, and then just overall effectiveness. Regardless, for the Commanders, this isn't a big deal because they're bringing him on to specialize in certain passing down situations, not be a game-wrecker that plays 80% of the snaps.
However, he's played 50% or more of defensive snaps in five of nine playoff games over the same span. It's clear Miller is a rotational guy that saves himself for the playoffs and the Commanders are just fine with that.
Dan Quinn knows how to manage veterans and we all know how the Commanders are very deliberate with how they go about making sure they always hit the right markers. They know exactly what they're getting into with Miller and they'll know how to manage him.
Why Miller fits the roster at this point of his career
I can promise you that Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr already have a plan in place for the all-time great before he even arrives in Washington. They needed a speed-rusher off the edge to pin his ears back, and fill the gap of the 10.5 sack production they lost in Dante Fowler Jr this offseason.
Last season with the Buffalo Bills, the 36-year-old veteran still stacked up six sacks, and 32 pressures to go with it on only 209 pass rushing snaps. Miller finished with a 16.1% pressure rate last season, which ranked as 10th best in the league among players with 175+ pass rush snaps. Quinn isn't going to put Miller on the field on first and ten, or likely running situations, he's going to deploy Miller on third and forth downs, and let him use that trademark spin move to get the ball back to Washington.
Commanders General Manager Adam Peters could've spent extra money and signed other available free agents such as Za'Darius Smith, or traded the farm for Trey Hendrickson, but that's not the direction he wanted to go, and it's smart.
Smith would've been an every down type of player, and he uses his strength more to win his reps. Washington would've likely had to pay more for Smith, and they needed a designated pass rusher to use their speed when they need it the most, and that's what Miller is at a better value.
Hendrickson would've been flashy, and made headlines, but trading valuable draft capital on an already older veteran team, and paying a top defensive player a massive contract just doesn't seem smart at this point. You have to pay Terry McLaurin, probably offer Laremy Tunsil a new contract, and maybe even Marshon Lattimore and Deebo Samuel after the season. Paying Hendrickson would've taken a majority of those moves off the table for the next offseason.
Peters knew that the defense needed more sack production without setting the team back on any future plans, and that's why he called up Miller. This is a low-risk, high-reward type of signing that can help mentor the younger players on the defensive line while Miller makes game-changing plays.
Washington only had five sacks in the fourth quarter last season, and they can't afford to lose close games this season, especially with a tougher schedule. Miller has shinned at the biggest moments of a game for his entire career, and that's why he's now a Commander.