OXNARD, Calif. — Von Miller said on a podcast that he has 10 to 15 plays a game left in him. Brian Schottenheimer was asked Monday what he made of that.
“We won’t really know that,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re not expecting him to come in here and play 40 plays a game. Ten to 15 great plays sound good to me. If it’s 18 to 20, that’s cool too.”
The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with Miller on Sunday night, a one-year deal worth $5.5 million that can reach $7.5 million, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Dallas waived wide receiver Traeshon Holden on Monday to open the roster spot.
The Number In Washington
Miller is 37 and entering his 15th NFL season. He played all 17 games for the Washington Commanders last season and started three, taking 420 defensive snaps, 37% of Washington’s total.
He finished with 9 sacks, 26 combined tackles, 15 quarterback hits, and 6 tackles for loss. It was his highest sack total since 2021, and it would have led the Cowboys last season.
Dallas allowed 511 points last season, most in the NFL, and finished 30th in yards allowed.
Schottenheimer said the plan is to keep Miller functional rather than keep him on the field.
“He understands the game,” Schottenheimer explained. “The football intellect, intelligence is pretty top tier. The production last year was really real. Nine sacks. That’s hard to do at this level. But he’s still got first-step quickness. He still understands angles. He’s still got a great assortment of counter moves.
“Our plan to use him we think will help him be very, very functional,” Schottenheimer detailed. “He’s not going to play 60 plays a game. That’s not what we’re looking for. But he’s going to get the snaps that he gets and he’s going to make us better. And hopefully we are playing a lot of games with the lead, and he along with those other guys in that room will go out there and hunt together.”
Dallas Can Afford To Keep The Number Low
The room in front of him is deep. Rashan Gary arrived by trade this offseason with 46.5 career sacks. Donovan Ezeiruaku is in his second season after 2 sacks and 40 tackles as a rookie. Malachi Lawrence went 23rd overall in April.
James Houston, Sam Williams, Marist Liufau, Tyrus Wheat, and Isaiah Land fill out the group. Houston had a sack in the preseason opener at Seattle, Land had one on fourth down at the Dallas 5, and Wheat split another with Reddy Steward.
Dallas held Seattle to 49 net passing yards in the 17-7 win.
Christian Parker runs a 3-4, which asks edge players to drop into coverage occasionally. Schottenheimer said that will not be much of Miller’s job.
“All these guys have to drop a little bit, and that’s part of playing the 3-4,” Schottenheimer said. “But CP and I are pretty smart. We’re not going to drop guys that are really good at chasing the passer. But that’s something that you have to do occasionally in the 3-4 to keep the offense guessing.”
What Von Miller Brings To The Snaps He Gets
Miller has 138.5 career sacks in 203 games, the most among active players. He is tied with DeMarcus Ware for ninth on the NFL’s official list, which dates to 1982, and four more would move him past Michael Strahan, Jason Taylor, and Terrell Suggs into sixth.
He has made eight Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls, with the Denver Broncos after the 2015 season and the Los Angeles Rams after 2021. He was the Super Bowl 50 Most Valuable Player.
Miller was expected in Oxnard on Monday night and is not expected to practice in Tuesday’s joint session against the New Orleans Saints. Schottenheimer said Dallas will ramp him up rather than rush him.
Tuesday is the last open practice of camp in California. The Cowboys return to Ford Center at The Star in Frisco for two more on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26.
Dallas plays at the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday at 9 p.m. CT on NFL Network, then closes the preseason against New Orleans on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium.
