logo
#

Latest news with #BuffaloBills

Von Miller says signing with Commanders was 'intentional'
Von Miller says signing with Commanders was 'intentional'

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • Sport
  • USA Today

Von Miller says signing with Commanders was 'intentional'

#Commanders OLB Von Miller:'The Washington Redskins called me a month and a half ago and started talking, signed and agreed to come here to Washington about a week and a day ago and here I am.' The Washington Commanders have been tweaking their roster all offseason. The latest big name to join the ranks of the burgundy and gold is linebacker Von Miller. Miller brings over a decade of NFL experience to a defense that struggled in 2024. Miller spoke about why he signed with the Commanders at training camp on Thursday. 'I guess I'll start, I'm excited to be here, 15th year in the league," he said. "It never gets old, especially being out of work for four months, perspective kind of changes a little bit. Back when you were young, you was like, 'Man, why we gotta go to OTAs, man? I wish I was home, man.' And you sit on the couch for four months, and it's like, 'Man, I wish I was in OTAs, man.' It's good dropping the kids off, and it's good picking the kids up from school, but I want to go to work [laughs], I want to go to work." Miller started his career with the Denver Broncos in 2011, when they selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He played 10 seasons in Denver before he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. He was part of the Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory before hitting the free agency market in 2022. He wasn't on the market for long before signing with the Buffalo Bills, where he remained through 2024. An aging veteran, Miller was released ahead of free agency in 2025. He was more than ready to return to the game he loves, but only for the right team. 'It was extremely intentional coming here," he said. "You just can't leave [Buffalo Bills QB] Josh Allen and go anywhere, man. You just can't go from the AFC championship and just go anywhere. And whenever you get older too, losses, they pile up. It seems like they just hit way harder than what they used to when you were young. And this team is all about winning, I'm all about winning. Whatever it takes to win, I'm going to do. That's on and off the football field." The Commanders put the NFL on notice last season with the way they came out of the gate and never slowed down. They gave the organization its best season in over 30 years and made it to the NFC Championship. The best way to improve on that is to make it to the Super Bowl this season, and Miller is all-in on winning. "This team is all about winning, I'm all about winning, and it was a good marriage.' The Commanders will have plenty of rotations with their edge rushers, but when Miller is on the field, you can expect him to make an impact this season.

Ranking Bills 2025 draft picks additions by potential impact
Ranking Bills 2025 draft picks additions by potential impact

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • Sport
  • USA Today

Ranking Bills 2025 draft picks additions by potential impact

The Buffalo Bills added some new energy to their roster by selecting eight new players via the 2025 NFL draft. The picks add life and competition to a group that is trying to win its first AFC Championship in over 40 years. The Bills jave started to familiarize itself with their prospects, as the rookies have completed rookie camp and OTAs this summer. Based on their initial performance and college evaluations, we can make some early guesses about which players will have the biggest impact Bills this season. Here is a ranking of the 2025 Bills draft class's potential impact by Bills Wire. 8. WR Kaden Prather The Bills took a flyer on Prather in the seventh round. A large target at 6-foot-3, Prather can use his leverage to outwork cornerbacks. He started 12 games last year, reeling in 56 catches for 624 yards and four touchdowns. However, his best path to earning snaps this year will most likely come on special teams. 8. T Chase Lundt Lundt will be more of a long-term project for Buffalo. He has a dearth of experience, starting 48 games for Connecticut during his college career. Lundt was strong against FBS pass rushers, ranking as one of the best tackles against pressure. Lundt will have to work into a role on the roster as a swing tackle if he hopes to earn snaps this fall. A year on the practice squad might be more realistic for Lundt, as he works on his footwork at each tackle spot. 7. CB Dorian Strong Strong did very well in man coverage last year, allowing a completion percentage of only 22 percent. The Hokie had 20 solo tackles, six pass breakups, and two interceptions last year. A strong camp could see Strong sneak up the depth chart. Strong could challenge Dane Jackson for the CB4 spot if things fall into place. 6. TE Jackson Hawes Hawes is an intriguing prospect for the Bills. He is an excellent blocker for a tight end. The Bills used Alec Anderson as the sixth offensive lineman last year; Hawes may be able to slide into this role, as the team can emphasize his blocking skills. In addition, Hawes could give Buffalo a bit more versatility than Anderson, as the Georgia Tech product did well with limited targets in college. 5. DB Jordan Hancock Hanock played multiple spots in the secondary for Ohio State last year. He projects as a depth slot cornerback, but he also has experience as a safety. This could play well for him in Buffalo's secondary, as the Bills could use Hancock in a variety of schemes. His path to playing time is a little more complicated, with Taron Johnson ahead of him at slot corner. However, with the safety spots largely up in the air right now, Hancock could challenge for time as a reserve in the back end of the defense. 4. DT Deone Walker Walker brings a bit more size to the interior of the defensive line. If things fall correctly for him, Walker could see some substantial time as a one-tech defender for the Bills. Larry Ogunjobi will miss the first third of the season due to a suspension. In addition, DaQuan Jones is reaching the twilight of his career. With a strong training camp, Walker's path to time on the field could expand. 3. DT TJ Sanders Sanders was Buffalo's second-round pick. The Bills traded up 15 spots to select Sanders with the 41st overall pick. Sanders is versatile, having experience at both one-tech and three-tech alignments. Sanders fits more as a three-tech, but with Ed Oliver entrenched in that role, Sanders will need to kick over next to Oliver on the line. Sanders has been impressive as a pass rusher in the interior. The idea of him and Oliver causing problems on the opponent's interior line is an intriguing option for Buffalo. He also has an inside track at early snaps, as free agent signee Larry Ogunjobi will miss Buffalo's first six games due to a suspension. 2. EDGE Landon Jackson Jackson checks off all of the items that Buffalo loves in a player. He is a high-motor, versatile, straight-line tackler. Jackson is athletic and can play in any situation. He might not be a three-down starter early, but expect Jackson to make the most of his reps early in the season. Jackson will be saddled behind Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa at the onset of the year. However, with Bosa's injury history, snaps may open up for Jackson. He looks to challenge AJ Epenesa to be first in line on the team's defensive rotation. 1. CB Maxwell Hairston Hairston was Buffalo's first-round selection in this April's Draft. All signs point to him earning a major role on the Bills defense this season. Hairston's skill set fits what the Bills need the most in their secondary. He has blazing speed, clocking in at 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He has great coverage skills, giving Buffalo an option to stay in man coverage when Hairston is lined up against some of the faster players in the NFL. The spot opposite Christian Benford will be an open competition between Hairston and Tre'Davious White. If Hairston settles in quickly, he will be a Week 1 starter for Buffalo.

30 most important Bills players of 2025: No. 17 Joey Bosa
30 most important Bills players of 2025: No. 17 Joey Bosa

USA Today

time3 hours ago

  • Sport
  • USA Today

30 most important Bills players of 2025: No. 17 Joey Bosa

As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the 2025 NFL season, we'll take a look at the most important contributors on their roster. They have a ton of cornerstone players who will be returning for another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo, and they'll have help from some new additions as well. Leading up to the season, we will be counting down the top 30 most important players on the roster. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to what they'll offer in 2025, and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding them this coming year. Next up on the countdown is Joey Bosa. Background Position: Defensive end Age at start of season: 30 Experience: 10th year 2025 cap hit: $5,320,000 2024 recap Joey Bosa played in 14 games in 2024, but his production was ultimately limited due to a few different lingering injuries. First, he fractured his hand in joint practice ahead of the season in which he underwent surgery to fix. He was ready for Week 1, but hurt his back in the opening game. He played through the injury, but a hip injury popped up in Week 3 which forced him to miss the next three games. Although limited with injuries, he still showed some production and was voted to the Pro Bowl. He finished the year with five sacks, 22 tackles, 13 QB hits, and two forced fumbles. 2025 outlook The signing of Bosa to a one-year deal for 2025 was a calculated risk by the Bills and general manager Brandon Beane. If he plays to his star potential, it could be a game changer for the team. But, there's always the concern that he won't be able to stay on the field. The team is looking for an edge defender who can be impactful across from Greg Rousseau, and Bosa will get the first crack at it given his production in the NFL and the ceiling of his abilities. Biggest question: Can he be healthy for the playoffs? The most obvious question is if Bosa can stay healthy for 2025. He's missed 42 games over his career due to a laundry list of injuries. But, the more important question will be whether or not he can be on the field when the postseason rolls around. If he misses a few regular season games, it won't be the end of the world. If he has to miss playoff games, then the Bills will have paid him for basically no reason. The Bills will most likely be going against some of the best QBs in the NFL in the playoffs, and a healthy Bosa who has 72 career sacks and five Pro Bowls would be a big boost for the team. Bosa only has four career playoff games under his belt, but in one postseason game last year with the Chargers he was able to get home for a sack. 30 Most Important Bills of 2025 Check back as we continue to countdown on our list of the 30 most important Bills ahead of the 2025 season. No. 30 DT T.J. Sanders, No. 29 LB Dorian Williams, No. 28 DT Larry Ogunjobi, No. 27 Alec Anderson, No. 26 DE A.J. Epenesa, No. 25 DT DaQuan Jones, No. 24 TE Dawson Knox, No. 23 WR Elijah Moore, No. 22 WR Joshua Palmer, No. 21 S Cole Bishop, No. 20 K Tyler Bass, No. 19 WR Keon Coleman, No. 18 G David Edwards.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store