The Buffalo Bills anticipate that Von Miller will return for the 2024 season. GM Brandon Beane hinted at a cryptic forecast that Miller's legal problems will be resolved.
Miller had a challenging 2023 season, struggling to regain his previous form after coming back from an ACL injury. Later in the season, he faced an accusation of assaulting his girlfriend. Despite speculation that the Bills might sever ties with Miller if the league disciplined him for the assault allegations, they have remained committed to him. Beane discussed plans for his full return next season. cut ties with Miller if the league issued discipline on the assault allegations, the Bills have remained committed to the veteran edge rusher and Beane discussed plans for a full return next season.
Bills Anticipate Resolution of Von Miller’s Legal Issues
Beane shed new light on the allegations against Miller while speaking at the NFL Combine this week. He hinted at the team's full awareness of the situation from the beginning and expressed optimism that it would soon be resolved.
“We’re quite confident in our knowledge, which is why we didn't make any drastic moves at the time,” Beane said, via SI.com. “We know what we know, and unless we're presented with different information, we don't see anything that would prevent Von from coming back. We anticipate it will be resolved.”
Miller was accused in November of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend. The Dallas Morning News reported that Miller turned himself in to Glenn Heights police while facing a charge of assault on a pregnant person.
Miller strongly denied the charges, and his girlfriend also denied the allegations.
“WFAA has obtained the 911 call placed by NFL star Von Miller’s girlfriend on Wednesday, which led to his Thursday arrest,” the news outlet WFAA stated on X. “Our reporters have also been communicating with her via text: ‘No one assaulted anyone,’ she texted. ‘This is insane. And sad.’”
Miller's situation in Buffalo had not always been so definite. Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News pointed out shortly after the allegations emerged that the Bills could potentially terminate their contract with All Pro edge rusher Miller if he were suspended by the NFL.
Full Return for Von Miller
The Bills signed Miller in 2022 with the expectation that he would have a great impact on defense. However, he suffered a torn ACL on Thanksgiving Day during his first season and struggled to regain his previous form after returning in October 2023.
Miller only made three tackles with no sacks, but did show improvement in his pass rush late in the season and into the playoffs. Beane expressed hope that Miller would continue to improve heading into the 2024 season.
“I've spoken to Von after the season, since it ended. I would say Von the last few weeks, we sat him down the one game, I would say that Miami, Pittsburgh, KC, you saw the flashes of it,” Beane said. “I think now it’s just more of it and getting him in a rhythm. It's that fine balance of like a shooter, how many shots does he need to get going? Von’s a rusher, he’s a shooter from there. So, what does he need to get his lather, but understanding at his age, you don't want him playing 40, 45 snaps either.”