Von Miller is returning home to the Dallas Cowboys for his 15th NFL season, but the veteran pass rusher revealed that he had hoped to hear from two of his former teams before choosing Dallas.

Miller said he was hoping for a call from the Denver Broncos or Buffalo Bills, but ultimately decided to embrace the opportunity in Dallas.

“I was hoping that the Denver Broncos would call the Buffalo Bills, and none of those teams, you know, maybe I’ll get another opportunity at that. But, you know, I can only take advantage of the present moment, and I got an incredible opportunity to play with a great team, a great offense,” Von Miller said on August 17.

Miller spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Denver Broncos and later played for the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders. That history made both Denver and Buffalo natural potential destinations before he ultimately chose Dallas.

The two-time Super Bowl champion and eight-time Pro Bowler now joins a Cowboys defense that has added several pieces this offseason. Rashan Gary and first-round pick Malachi Lawrence are also part of the pass rush.

“I know Christian Parker really well. Rashan Gary, Williams, Kenny Clark, they all came to my Pass Rush Summit this year. Donovan Ezeiruaku, I know him pretty well as well. P.J. Locke was my teammate in Denver,” Von Miller said on August 17 on the Nightcap podcast.

Those existing relationships should make Miller's transition to Dallas more comfortable as he joins a defense with several players he already knows.

Miller enters Dallas as the NFL's active career sack leader with 138.5. He recorded nine sacks for Washington last season despite starting only three of 17 games, his highest total since combining for 9.5 sacks with Denver and Los Angeles in 2021.

“They got one of the best offenses in the National Football League with George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott. So, I got an incredible team to be around, and I’m excited about it,” Miller added.

Miller may have expected a return to Denver or Buffalo, but his focus is now firmly on what Dallas can offer.

Why Von Miller's Dallas Opportunity Makes Sense

Dallas announced Miller's signing Monday. The former No. 2 overall pick and Super Bowl 50 MVP had spent the past several seasons moving between teams, but he will return to Texas for the next chapter of his career.

Miller celebrated the move on Instagram, posting a photoshopped picture of himself in a Cowboys uniform.

"Hereee Weee Gooo,” Miller wrote Sunday on Instagram.

Miller may have hoped for a reunion with Denver or Buffalo, but Dallas ultimately gave him an opportunity he was ready to embrace.

With his experience and relationships already in place, the Cowboys now give the veteran pass rusher a chance to begin the next chapter of his career at home.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Rudra Dubey