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Alaina GetzenbergESPN
BUFFALO (N.Y.) — One year ago, the Buffalo BillsI sat at my home, watching the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTake down Patrick MahomesThe Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. They saw the Los Angeles RamsSwarm Cincinnati BengalsQB Joe BurrowTo clinch a title.
Takeaway: It is crucial to pressurize the quarterback in order to win that Lombardi Trophy.
The Bills selected a defense end in the 2021 draft. The season ended at Arrowhead Stadium for the second consecutive year. Despite Buffalo finishing as the No. 1 team, the team still didn’t have a dynamic pass rusher. The defense was the No. 1 defense in the NFL, generating pressure at the third highest rate (34% dropbacks).
Enter two-time Super Bowl champion Von Miller.
The Bills are already considered favorites to win Super Bowl. added one of the best pass-rushers in NFL historyMiller is the active career leader in sacks (15.5). Miller could be the missing piece for the Bills defense to win a championship in an AFC that is stacked with elite quarterbacks. It was a good start to the league year.
“It’s been crazy, man,” Miller said in an Instagram video that has since been removed. “Crazy four hours, going back and forth, man. A lot of things that I love in L.A., but I just wanted to let you know I’m coming to Buffalo. Bills Mafia, what’s good? Is (No. 40 open?”
According to ESPN, the Bills signed Miller to a six year, $120million contract. This contract includes $51.5million fully guaranteed and $45,000,000 fully guaranteed at signing. This guarantee is almost twice the amount of any current contract signed by a defense player in their 30s.
Brandon Beane, the general manager of the team, did something unusual: he signed a high-profile player to a contract with the potential to increase the team’s revenue. Buffalo tends to stick with smaller, more cost-effective free agency signings.
“I’m always gonna put resources in the front [seven]. It’s just how I believe it should be built,” Beane said earlier this offseason. “And don’t ever be shocked if you see us trying to add there, free agency or the draft, at any point.”
The Bills have heavily invested in their front seven. Miller will be joining the first-round selections Ed OliverThis is his best season in his career. Greg RousseauStill developing second-round picks AJ EpenesaAnd Boogie Basham, and additional free-agent options DaQuan JonesAnd Tim Settle.
Throughout the 2021 season, the Bills lacked a consistent pass-rusher despite being the league’s No. 1 pass defense (allowing only 12 passing touchdowns), five more than any other team. Miller was the Bills’ most pressured player last season with 41. No cost agent Jerry HughesLast season, the Bills’ record was 37.
The Bills reached out to Mahomes on 16.7% of their playoff losses and recorded three combined sacks. Miller’s 18 pressures in the postseason with the Rams limited quarterbacks to a 0.7 total QBR on those plays.
Buffalo will soon add the 33-year-old to its already formidable defense.
The best safety duo in the NFL Jordan PoyerAnd Micah HydeThe only problem with this defense is at cornerback. The Bills lost their starter Levi WallaceIn free agency to Pittsburgh Tre’Davious WhiteHe is returning to the team after a torn ACL. The position is arguably the biggest concern on the roster, but there’s time to address that in both the draft (the Bills have nine picks) and the rest of free agency.
Although signing Miller will help keep pace with the AFC arms race, it is not a good sign. Russell WilsonThis adds an experienced leader with Super Bowl experience. Miller and a new tight end O.J. Howard are now the only players on the Bills roster with Super Bowl rings, and Miller has been recognized from his limited time with the Rams as making a significant impact on the team’s mindset and focus on earning that title. Miller has been a part of seven consecutive playoff wins for his previous teams.
The Miller signing sent a clear message.
It’s Super Bowl-or-bust time in Buffalo.