The Detroit Lions entered the 2025 offseason with a significant need for an edge rusher, and that need grew even more pressing after parting ways with Za’Darius Smith. While Smith had been relatively productive for the Lions after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns last season, Detroit was unwilling to pay the $11 million salary Smith was set to earn. With a gap to fill opposite Aidan Hutchinson, Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit suggests former Buffalo Bills pass rusher Von Miller as a potential solution.
At 36 years old, Miller is no longer the dominant player he once was, but he could still be a valuable asset as a situational pass rusher. Since 2019, Miller has only played over 500 defensive snaps in a season once, and at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, he isn’t the typical three-down edge rusher the Lions would prefer. However, he remains effective in rushing the passer, having ranked seventh in both pass rush win percentage (18.4%) and pass rush productivity (9.6%) according to Pro Football Focus. Despite playing in just 13 games last season, Miller still tallied 6.0 sacks and 32 pressures.
For the Lions, adding a player like Miller makes sense, even if he’s not the long-term solution. He would offer a solid contribution alongside Hutchinson, and Detroit could also draft a young edge rusher to develop behind Miller and Hutchinson in Year 1, addressing their depth needs.
As for the financials, Miller is expected to sign a deal similar to that of Joey Bosa, who inked a one-year, $12.6 million contract with the Bills. While it remains to be seen if general manager Brad Holmes is willing to pay that amount after cutting Smith, the Lions do have enough cap space ($49.5 million) to afford Miller’s contract for a single season.
