FRISCO, Texas — Von Miller is 37 and had not taken a snap since Washington’s season finale on Jan. 4. What registered when the Dallas Cowboys went back through last season was the sack production, coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday at The Star.
“I think the first time I heard it was Von, somebody, Von had a picture on with a Cowboys shirt or hat or something, I don’t know,” Schottenheimer said. “And so everybody thought we were making this big move to get him. And then we’ve always known who he is. Christian Parker has been with him. B.T. Jordan, of course, is a trusted friend. I’ve always been a big fan of Von’s.”
“And then as we got into training camp and there was conversations about him, and you go back and you look at what he did in Washington last year and you see the production and you see, okay, wow, he’s old, but, man, that’s a lot of sacks,” Schottenheimer continued. “And you think about it and then you look at our guys, which were very, very talented, but there’s some young players there. Donovan Ezeiruaku, who I think the world of, is going to be a great player in this league. I think Malachi Lawrence is showing us now we’re seeing flashes of what he’s capable of.”
“But you can add a guy like this who has experience and still talent, but at the same time he can have an impact with some of those younger players,” Schottenheimer added. “And when I say that, I’m not just talking about defensive edge pieces. Maybe he can help Tyler Guyton, maybe he can help Nate Thomas. And I think that’s what he wants. He’s at that point of his career where he wants to be a part of something special, be a part of a team that he grew up cheering for. And so I just think it fit.”
The Terms Of The Von Miller Signing
Dallas announced the agreement on Sunday, Aug. 16. Miller signed the following Tuesday morning in Oxnard, hours before the Cowboys held a joint practice with New Orleans. Dallas released wide receiver Traeshon Holden to make room.
The deal runs one year and is worth $5.5 million, with a maximum value of $7.5 million.
The contract features a $3 million signing bonus, a $1.5 million base salary, $1.2 million in roster bonuses, and includes four voidable years. Moreover, $2 million is tied to sacks and a playoff appearance. Incentive payouts are structured as follows: $500,000 for 8 sacks, $1 million for 10, $1.5 million for 12, and $2 million for 14 sacks, with Dallas’s playoff participation necessary for any incentives to be awarded.
Miller is from DeSoto and played at Texas A&M. He did not play against Arizona on Saturday night. He wears No. 40.
What The Dallas Cowboys Are Adding Him To
Miller enters his 15th season with 138.5 career sacks, more than any other active player. That total ties him with DeMarcus Ware for ninth in the official record, which dates to 1982. He won Super Bowl 50 MVP with Denver, has been named to eight Pro Bowls, and has made three All-Pro teams. Dallas is his fifth team.
Last season in Washington, Miller played all 17 games and recorded 9 sacks, 26 tackles, and 6 tackles for loss. He played 420 defensive snaps, 36.9% of Washington’s total and the third-fewest of his career. The 9 sacks were his most since 2021.
The Young Players Around Von Miller
Donovan Ezeiruaku played 17 games as a rookie with 9 starts. He recorded 40 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a safety.
Malachi Lawrence was the first-round pick in April, No. 23 overall, out of Central Florida.
Schottenheimer also named two offensive linemen Miller could help. Tyler Guyton started 10 games at left tackle last season. Nate Thomas arrived as a seventh-round pick in 2024, No. 233 overall out of Louisiana, and has 4 career starts.
What Is Left Before Dallas Cowboys Cuts
Two practices in front of fans at The Star are left, on Tuesday and Wednesday. The preseason closes Friday against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m. CT on CBS.
Rosters must be at 53 players by 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 30. Waiver claims are due at noon CT the next day.
