• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Cold Wire

Breaking News, Sports, Entertainment, TV, Tech ...

  • Home
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • MLB
  • Entertainment
  • World News
  • Cold Hard Facts
  • About
You are here: Home / Sports / NFL / Did The Bills Overpay For Von Miller?

Did The Bills Overpay For Von Miller?

By Robert Marvi March 21, 2022

Von Miller #40 of the Los Angeles Rams holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

 

The Buffalo Bills had a strong campaign in 2021, finishing first in the AFC East with an 11-6 record and coming very close to reaching the conference championship game.

With star quarterback Josh Allen, who finished second in the MVP balloting the previous season, and one of the National Football League’s most explosive offenses, the Bills’ prospects already looked great for 2022.

But those prospects got a boost when the team signed veteran linebacker and two-time Super Bowl winner Von Miller.

Buffalo signed him to a six-year contract that is worth $120 million, which is certainly a lot of money, especially when one considers salary cap ramifications.

But was it too much to pay for a man who the Bills hope will be the final piece of a world championship team?

 

Miller Recently Put Another Team Over The Top

After he was the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Miller was a mainstay of the Denver Broncos for many years.

Once they acquired Peyton Manning, they quickly went to back-to-back Super Bowls, and when Denver won it all in Super Bowl 50, Miller was named the game’s MVP for his help in pressuring Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton into a terrible outing.

.@VonMiller TOOK OVER Super Bowl 50.

Three years ago today. @Broncos pic.twitter.com/jJnEkTRWnk

— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) February 7, 2019

With the Broncos in a long-term rebuilding process, they decided to trade him in the middle of last season to the Los Angeles Rams, a team that was already considered a title contender.

L.A. already had Aaron Donald, who is a beastly defensive lineman.

But it was projected that Miller would take the Rams to another level.

Some wondered if it was worth it for the Rams to give up multiple draft picks for him.

In the Super Bowl last month against the Cincinnati Bengals, the investment paid off when Miller had two sacks to set the scene for a Rams triumph.

VON MILLER SACKS JOE BURROW🔥#LARams #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/Vx9LOUA5kA

— TimeoutSPORTS__ (@TimeoutSPORTS3) February 14, 2022

Although the Bills had the league’s top defense in terms of points allowed last season, they didn’t have a top-shelf pass rusher.

Miller should check that box, as long as he plays at the level he did during the playoffs.

 

Why $120 Million Is Too Much

Miller used to be an elite pass-rusher on a consistent basis.

But these days, he’s not quite what he used to be.

He suffered a torn ACL late in 2013, and in 2020 he sustained a dislocated peroneal tendon that prevented him from taking the field that season.

He has not posted double-digits in sacks since the 2018 campaign, two full years before his most recent injury.

In addition, Miller will turn 33 soon.

It may be reasonable to expect him to be a difference-maker for another year or two, but expecting him to justify being paid an average of $20 million a year beyond that sounds like asking for too much.

His contract could turn out to be especially onerous a few years from now, when the annual numbers start to climb, and it could put the Bills over the salary cap and make it tough for them to improve their squad.

Reportedly, the first “out” for Buffalo when it comes to Miller’s contract would be after the 2024 campaign, at which point Miller will be about to turn 36.

On the other hand, Miller’s former team proved that going all-in is not only a viable strategy, but that it can work extremely well.

The Bills certainly have the players around him to provide a great return on their investment in him.

    Get ALL the latest NFL news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cold Wire NFL newsletter here!    

Recent News

Wide receiver Davante Adams #17, head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders talk during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 24, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada.
Josh McDaniels Is Facing A Lifetime Of Expectations In 2022
Doug Pederson speaks to the media during a press conference introducing him as the new Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars alongside Shad Khan, Owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Trent Baalke, General Manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Stadium on February 05, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida.
1 Simple Goal For Doug Pederson In 2022
detailed view of the NFL logo on the pitch during the NFL match between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13, 2019 in London, England.
3 Reasons NFL Fans Should Watch The Hall Of Fame Game

Filed Under: Buffalo Bills Rumors And News (Updated Daily), NFL Tagged With: Buffalo Bills

About Robert Marvi

Robert is a Los Angeles-area native and has been an avid NFL and NBA fan since he was a little kid. He feels strongly that pro sports aren't just a form of entertainment, but also a great way to learn life lessons and find inspiration.

Suggest a correction

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow The Cold Wire!

Primary Sidebar

Search The Cold Wire

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

Editorial Guidelines

Contact Us

Sitemap

Advertise

Follow us on

Copyright © 2022 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ·TheColdWire.com

Suggest a Correction

Did The Bills Overpay For Von Miller?

1000 characters remaining