Fresh off a second career Super Bowl following half of a season with the Los Angeles Rams, star outside linebacker Von Miller is set to be one of the more notable names on the free-agent market this offseason.
It appears, however, that returning to the Rams is his top priority.
The 32-year-old told ESPN’s Josina Anderson on Wednesday that “I want to figure it out with the Rams first and foremost because they’ve been real good to me. On the slim chance that can’t happen, then I’ll explore all my options.”
Miller spent the first nine-plus seasons with the Denver Broncos after being taken second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, setting a franchise record for career sacks with 110.5. The eight-time Pro Bowler anchored a fearsome Broncos defense that won Super Bowl 50 — his 2.5-sack, two-forced-fumble performance earning him game MVP honors against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.
It proved to be the last postseason game he appeared in as a Bronco as the team was unable to build a winner around its defense; largely because of an inability to find a franchise quarterback after the retirement of Peyton Manning. They’ll be hoping that trend has changed after pulling off a blockbuster to acquire Russell Wilson on Tuesday from the Seattle Seahawks.
But with Miller’s contract expiring at the end of the 2021 season, the Broncos shipped him to the Rams — looking for even more of a defensive boost — for a second and third-round pick at the 2022 NFL Draft.
Miller meshed immediately with the likes of All-Pro defensive lineman, Aaron Donald, posting five sacks, eight QB hits, and a forced fumble in eight regular-season games. He found a different gear in the playoffs, recording four sacks in four games including two of Joe Burrow in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals — which the Rams won 23-20.
Before his comments to Anderson clarifying his standing, Miller sent a cryptic tweet on Monday hinting that he would want to return to the Broncos.
“I kinda want that old thing back.. 5280,” Miller wrote — the number a nod to the number of feet above sea level of the city of Denver.
