FRISCO, Texas — Von Miller will not be limited to one situation in the Dallas Cowboys defense, Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker said Thursday, three days before the 37-year-old outside linebacker plays his first game for his hometown team.
Miller agreed to a one-year deal Aug. 16 and joined Dallas for the final days of training camp in Oxnard, California. He grew up in DeSoto and played at Texas A&M before the Denver Broncos drafted him second overall in 2011.
Parker’s plan for Miller, in his words, is for him to play well.
“I think there’s a management aspect that goes into the practice plan and game,” Parker said. “I think that varies by game. Von has certainly been educated on all aspects of our scheme. So we’re not limiting him in one situation or another. He’s going to be an all-down player for us.
“He’s a prepared player. He takes care of himself. He’s a true professional,” Parker continued. “So we’re expecting high-level play out of him, and he expects it from himself more importantly.”
Miller has 138.5 career sacks, the most among active players, and is tied for ninth in NFL history. Last season with the Washington Commanders, he played all 17 games and had nine sacks on 420 defensive snaps. The nine sacks were his most since he had 9.5 with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, the AP reported.
Miller was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 and the Super Bowl MVP when Denver won the title after the 2015 season. He won a second championship with the Rams after the 2021 season. He has been to eight Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro three times. His 10.5 playoff sacks in 16 postseason games are the most among active players. In Dallas, he wears No. 40.
Von Miller And The Dallas Cowboys’ Young Edge Rushers
Dallas’ outside linebacker room also includes Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, the 23rd overall pick in April, and Donovan Ezeiruaku, a second-round pick in 2025.
The veteran help for a young player does not always come from his own position group, Parker said.
“I think it’s really significant,” Parker explained. “Any young player that I’ve been around has had an older vet with him, whether that was Pat Surtain and he had Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson, to Coop and Q with having Slay and James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox and guys like that in the room.
“Sometimes it comes from other positions, and I think Von certainly has a high interest in helping develop those guys while he’s also working on himself,” Parker added. “So he’s been a great add for us.”
Parker coached defensive backs in Denver from 2021 through 2023. He spent the past two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Caleb Downs On Von Miller’s Captain Vote
Before the season, Cowboys players voted on captains, and Dallas named four: Dak Prescott, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and kicker Brandon Aubrey. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said it was all player voting and that the four were clearly the highest vote-getters, DallasCowboys.com reported. Dallas named six captains in 2025.
Rookie safety Caleb Downs, the No. 11 overall pick in April, was not among the four. One of his votes came from Miller.
“I need to go ask him why he did that,” Downs said. “But he’s a legend of the game, and it’s great to know that you have somebody that’s established, that believes in you.”
Miller has not been on Dallas’ injury report this week. The Cowboys open at the New York Giants on Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC. Miller’s first home game with Dallas is Sept. 20 against Washington at AT&T Stadium.
