FRISCO, Texas — Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said he sees Von Miller‘s happiness in meetings, on the practice field, and in the way he moves around the locker room, and that what Miller missed during his layoff was more than football.
Miller, 37, signed with the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 16 after sitting out training camp.
Veterans who sit out camp miss the brotherhood, the locker room, the work, and the prep, Schottenheimer said. He put Jadeveon Clowney in that same group a year ago.
“Yeah, I totally see that. I see it in meetings. I see it on the practice field. I see him engaging with his teammates, his brothers,” Schottenheimer said. “And when I look at him, I think he loves, what I’ve learned about these players, like last year it was Jadeveon, this year Von, these veterans that sit out during training camp, they miss it. They miss the brotherhood. They miss the time in the locker room. They miss the work. They miss the prep.”
“And so he’s been great. Not just missing football, but being a Cowboy,” Schottenheimer continued. “That means so much to him just growing up here. Texas kid. His dad was the biggest Cowboys fan. And it would be awesome to see him put that helmet on in a real game up in New York.”
Von Miller’s Deal With The Dallas Cowboys
Miller agreed to terms Aug. 16 on a one-year contract worth $5.5 million that can reach $7.5 million. Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the agreement, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the terms. He first practiced Aug. 18.
The DeSoto native turned 37 on March 26. Denver drafted him second overall in 2011 out of Texas A&M, where he majored in poultry science. He is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, a three-time first-team All-Pro, a two-time Super Bowl champion, and the Super Bowl 50 MVP. He was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011.
Miller wore No. 24 with the Washington Commanders last season. On Thursday the Cowboys confirmed he will wear No. 40 in Dallas after reaching an agreement with fullback Hunter Luepke, who moves to No. 30.
The Cowboys’ Rebuilt Edge Group
Miller joins an edge rotation that includes Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and first-round pick Malachi Lawrence.
Miller’s first regular-season snap as a Cowboy would come Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
