Von Miller is back in the NFL, and he’s already making headlines, but not just for what he’s doing on the field. During his first press conference as a member of the Washington Commanders, the veteran linebacker accidentally reignited one of the most sensitive debates in professional sports.
Did Von Miller Just Reignite the Redskins Name Debate in Washington?
When Washington signed Miller to a one-year, $6.1 million deal, it marked a fresh start for the 36-year-old linebacker. After dealing with injuries and limited snaps in recent years, Miller was eager to get back to work and said as much at Thursday’s training camp session.
“It’s good dropping the kids off, and it’s good picking the kids up from school, but I wanna go to work,” Miller said. But what came next raised eyebrows across the organization and beyond. “The Washington Redskins called me a month and a half ago and started talking, and agreed to come here to Washington about a week and a day ago, and here I am. Excited to be here,” he added, using the team’s former name that was dropped back in 2020.
This is awesome: New Commanders pass rusher Von Miller calls the team the Redskins:
“The Washington Redskins called me a month and a half ago and started talking, signed and agreed to come here to Washington about a week and a day ago, and here I am.”
Von is hugely excited to… pic.twitter.com/QUN2uswjgd
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 24, 2025
The timing couldn’t have been more awkward. Miller’s comment came just days after former President Donald Trump reignited debate around the franchise’s name on Truth Social. Trump threatened to block support for the team’s proposed new stadium in Washington unless the Commanders bring back their old moniker.
“My statement on the Washington Redskins has totally blown up, but only in a very positive way,” Trump wrote. “I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington. The Team would be much more valuable, and the Deal would be more exciting for everyone.”
Will Political Pressure Derail the Commanders’ New Stadium Plans?
Washington’s future remains uncertain both on and off the field, with Miller’s slip adding unexpected fuel to an already burning fire. The veteran linebacker’s reference to the old name may have been innocent, but the implications stretch far beyond a simple mistake during media availability.
Commanders general manager Adam Peters tried to downplay the growing distraction earlier in the week. “We’re just trying to focus on what’s going on here and getting ready for the season,” he said. However, with external political pressure mounting and the team’s stadium plans hanging in the balance, even small moments like this take on outsized significance.
For Miller, the focus appears straightforward. After suiting up in 13 games for the Buffalo Bills in 2024 and tallying six sacks, the two-time Super Bowl champion hopes to bring leadership and pass-rush help to a defense that desperately needs both. His experience and veteran presence could prove invaluable for a team trying to establish its identity in multiple ways.
The situation highlights how complicated the organization’s position has become. With outside voices growing louder and the team’s stadium plans tied up in political debate, Miller’s verbal stumble serves as a reminder that the name controversy continues to shadow the franchise. What should have been a routine introduction of a veteran free agent signing instead became another chapter in an ongoing saga that shows no signs of resolution.
