Bills' Von Miller 'angry' after knee injury derailed 2023 season: 'I shouldn't have been out there'

Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller put up a goose egg in the sack column last season, playing 12 games coming off a 2022 torn ACL. Miller recently told Sports Illustrated that he probably shouldn’t have been on the field in 2023.

“He stated, “My most significant personal objective is to return to my unique style of football. It’s incredible that after an injury, you come back to play when you really shouldn’t have, and people evaluate you based on your performance on the field. I could have chosen not to play the entire previous season, but I couldn’t let my teammates down. Being later in my career, I didn’t want to forfeit any of my years. However, I admit that I shouldn’t have been playing.”

Miller definitely appeared to be a player grappling with his form during his 34th season. He didn’t have the same energy we were accustomed to seeing. Considering his past injuries, it’s uncertain whether a year away from the ACL tear will rejuvenate his performance or if age will further affect his career.

Miller, who took a pay cut this offseason to remain in Buffalo, vowed to bounce back in 2024.

“He said, “To be honest, I feel like people are judging me based on that [last season] and it’s making me somewhat angry. It’s causing me to channel a version of myself that I haven’t embodied in a while. I just want to return to my unique style of football. I want to regain my confidence, start making sacks again, celebrate on the pitch, and make plays for my teammates. That’s been my entire focus this offseason.”

The Bills are counting on Miller to contribute as a rotational edge behind Gregory Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa. It’s a shallow pass-rushing corps in Buffalo this season, so getting production from Miller is paramount if Sean McDermott’s crew is to pester the quarterback consistently.

“The biggest team goal is bringing the first Super Bowl to Buffalo,” Miller said. “Everyone feels like they deserve it, and they work hard, but Buffalo Bills fans and Western New York, they deserve it, man. They do so much for our community and our football team. Josh Allen is an amazing player and person — he is one of the most amazing people that I have ever been around in my life. These guys deserve it, and I’m going to do everything in my power to give it to them.”

During a transformative offseason, Buffalo is being overlooked in the AFC competition. These forecasts fail to account for the existing talent on the team, beginning with their star quarterback, Allen. Should Miller contribute even a fraction of his Hall of Fame-level performance, it will assist the Bills in maintaining their competitive standing in the conference.