Few players embodied the last decade of the NFL quite like Von Miller. The defensive star built his legacy with the Denver Broncos, where he spent 11 seasons, and though he’s currently a free agent after being released by the Buffalo Bills, he’s already confirmed that he plans to play in 2025.
Naturally, speculation has swirled about a possible return to Denver, a team currently on the rise and one that could benefit from Miller’s veteran presence at a low cost, especially given his deep connection to the franchise. Miller addressed the possibility realistically, signaling that a return could happen — just not in 2025.
Von Miller’s Return to the Broncos Is Not on the Table For 2025
Midway through the 2021 season, Von Miller was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, where he played a key role in helping the franchise win Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals. His contract wasn’t renewed the following year, and he went on to sign with the Bills, where he spent three seasons.
Despite a strong start, recording eight sacks in 11 games during his first year with Buffalo, he wasn’t able to recapture the dominant form of his earlier career.
Which brings us to Miller’s current situation. The 36-year-old veteran is now a free agent, and a return to the team that drafted him has become a real possibility. When asked about the idea, Miller spoke with great admiration for Denver’s roster heading into the upcoming season.
Von Miller is set on playing at least one more season, he said. Just doesn’t know where it will be yet.
Added he hasn’t heard from the #Broncos but isn’t surprised.
“This year, it really doesn’t make sense,” he said, nodding to the OLB and defensive depth Denver has. pic.twitter.com/On4oqUaSn0
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) May 28, 2025
“This Broncos team is a really round option, a really good team. Still a very, very competitive division. AFC West going against the Chiefs, the Chargers, and the Raiders. But they can compete with those guys. And as long as they can go one on one with those guys and make the playoffs, who knows what happens next. So Broncos country should be excited.”
However, Miller acknowledged that with so much talent already on Denver’s defense, a return right now doesn’t make sense for him. He admitted there wouldn’t be a place for his skill set on a unit that led the league in sacks in 2024 and ranked as the NFL’s top defense according to the PFSN Defense+ Metric.
“This year, it really doesn’t make sense. They got two really, really good rushers that are best in the league. And with Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto, they are incredible rushers. And the guys underneath them, they come in, they produce sacks too. And they play special teams. I’m not playing special teams,” Miller added.
The player reiterated that a return won’t happen this year, but in 2026, a reunion could be on the table. With the Broncos, Miller reached the peak of his career, earning three First-Team All-Pro selections, the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and MVP honors in Super Bowl 50. Already a franchise icon, a return in 2026 would be a fitting way to close out a Hall of Fame career, with a storybook ending where it all began.
