Bills HC Sean McDermott warns NFL to ‘never count out’ this veteran

Bills head coach Sean McDermott still believes 35-year-old edge rusher Von Miller has a lot left to offer following his significant knee injury.

McDermott recently revealed that Miller wasn’t completely recovered from the torn ACL he suffered on Thanksgiving Day 2022, but that Buffalo is very optimistic about what he can do in 2024.

“First year off an ACL is an uphill climb,” McDermott said on former Bills center Eric Wood’s podcast. “Now we’re into the second year off the injury, excited to see what he can do, how he’s moving and how he’s gonna impact our team. You never count a player or a person like Von Miller out.”

Buffalo is hoping that’s the case after handing Miller a six-year, $120 million deal in March of 2022.

At first, it seemed like it was a good investment for the team as the eight-time Pro Bowler registered eight sacks and one forced fumble through 12 weeks before suffering the knee injury.

Miller’s 2023 campaign wasn’t ideal, either. He was placed on the reserve/PUP list to begin the year, and when he finally made his return in October, he struggled (three tackles and zero sacks) and fell behind other Bills edge rushers on the depth chart.

That is why many believe we’ve seen the best of Miller, who is entering his 14th season in the league. McDermott is not among those, however.

“I know some people would say age and the injury, and that’s real, but you’re talking about a guy also, and this is where the hope comes from, a guy that’s going to be in the Hall of Fame,” McDermott added. “He’s got an incredible mindset, and he, I think, has something to prove, and I think he would say that. We’re excited about seeing how that all fleshes out over the course of the next couple months.”