The Dallas Cowboys didn't wait long to address their pass rush after a strong preseason opener from their backups. Von Miller agreed to a one-year deal with his hometown team, giving Dallas another experienced presence up front.

After signing, Miller already spoke with some of Dallas' young pass rushers about what he can offer them. Donovan Ezeiruaku said Miller told him he wanted to fill the same kind of mentor role DeMarcus Ware once had for younger Cowboys defenders.

"He said he wanted to be D Ware [DeMarcus Ware] for him, if that makes sense," Ezeiruaku said. "And coming from a guy that's a Hall of Famer — he'll be a first ballot, in my opinion — that means a lot. That means he sees the potential in myself, but not only just me, but also in Mali [Malachi and others]... It'll be a great help."

After speaking to reporters on August 18 via Cowboys YouTube, the rookie said Miller's experience could be valuable to him, Malachi Lawrence, and other young players.

The Cowboys announced the signing on Sunday, with the contract worth $5.5 million and potentially reaching $7.5 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Miller brings 138.5 career sacks, two Super Bowl titles and seven All-Pro selections into his 15th season.

Brian Schottenheimer sees the same value. The Cowboys head coach pointed to Miller's willingness to help younger players, along with what he can still provide on the field.

"What I love about Von is we've got a lot of inside information [from pass rush specialist consultant Brian 'BT' Jordan], and knowledge about him as a player," Schottenheimer recently told the reporters. "Certainly, what he's accomplished is incredible, but what you hear about him as a teammate is even more incredible."

GM and owner of the Cowboys, Jerry Jones, also believes Miller can bring something Dallas has been looking for.

"We feel really good, but the main thing is, Michael Irvin said it. I was just sitting with him during practice, and he said, 'He's always wanted to be a Dallas Cowboy, to play for the Cowboys,'" Jones told the reporters on August 18.

For Dallas, Miller's role won't need to be massive to matter. He had nine sacks for Washington last season while playing 37% of the defensive snaps, and a similar rotation could keep him fresh for passing downs.

The Cowboys now have another veteran voice to pair with Rashan Gary, Ezeiruaku and Lawrence. Miller's arrival also carries a personal angle that goes beyond football.

Von Miller finally gets to play for his hometown Cowboys

Miller grew up in the Dallas suburbs and attended DeSoto High School before playing at Texas A&M. He had previously discussed joining the Cowboys, but the timing never worked out.

"It’s like that movie, ‘Inception,’ like a dream within a dream. I always wanted to play in the National Football League, and then to play for the Dallas Cowboys. We’re going deep with it, year 16," Miller told reporters on August 19 via Cowboys YouTube.

The 37-year-old pass rusher is coming off nine sacks in Washington, his highest total since 2021.

Now he gets a chance to chase another Super Bowl wearing the team he grew up watching, with DeMarcus Ware as his ideal and a team that feels positive about him.

Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Rudra Dubey