Von Miller's mega deal keeps Bills' Super Bowl window open. But for how much longer?
As teams in the AFC West stockpiled talent for what could be the most competitive NFL division in 2022, one other AFC team made a major move Wednesday to ensure its Super Bowl window remained open.
The Buffalo Bills agreed to a six-year, $120 million deal with two-time Super Bowl champion Von Miller this week, adding a premier pass rusher and leader to their respected defense.
Miller, who turns 33 later this month, was an instrumental part of the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl run two months ago and won Super Bowl MVP with the Denver Broncos in 2015.
NFL FREE AGENCY TRACKER: Latest news on deals between players, teams
Now, Miller joins a Bills team headlined by star quarterback Josh Allen and elite receiver Stefon Diggs — desperately hoping to break through the AFC title game and reach the Super Bowl.
Miller’s deal — which includes an annual average of $17.5 million for the first four seasons and $51 million in guarantees, per NFL Network — is largely front-loaded.
And the Bills hope Miller can help them reach new heights sooner rather than later after prime playoff opportunities were ended by the Kansas City Chiefs the last two seasons.
If the Bills weren’t already haunted by the Chiefs beating them in the 2020 AFC title game, they must still be having nightmares about how they lost in Kansas City last season.
The Bills were 13 seconds away from the AFC title game.
Thirteen seconds.
OPINION: There is no easy fix when it comes to the NFL's overtime quandary
No matter what Buffalo or their beloved Bills Mafia fanbasehave to say about the current state of the NFL’s overtime rules, it doesn’t matter.
Their defense had the opportunity to close the deal but watched Patrick Mahomes find receiver Tyreek Hill for a long gain, tight end Travis Kelce race into field goal position and a good kick end their second-best opportunity to reach the Super Bowl to date.
It’s likely the Bills could see the Chiefs again in the 2022 postseason, where Miller’s presence will improve Buffalo’s pass rush and could potentially make things more difficult for Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense.
Injuries slowed Miller the last two seasons, but his four postseason sacks earlier this year helped propel the Rams to Super Bowl glory.
Despite Miller’s acquisition, one concern for the Bills moving forward is the biggest loss they incurred this offseason.
Buffalo is moving forward without offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who left to become the New York Giants' head coach, ending a three-year run during which Daboll helped Allen become one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL.
Daboll’s work with Allen, turning the gunslinger into an MVP candidate and one of the NFL’s most feared quarterbacks, was instrumental to Buffalo’s window of playoff opportunity the last two seasons.
It remains to be seen if Daboll’s departure affects Allen’s play beyond the offensive scheme the Bills hope to maintain with Ken Dorsey promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator.
One thing is certain, however: the Bills aren’t the only team building to take down the Chiefs.
Big moves out West
Even though Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals represented the AFC in the Super Bowl two months ago, the Chiefs still have the rest of the conference on notice.
Every other team in the AFC West made moves this offseason with hopes to dethrone Kansas City.
The Las Vegas Raiders pulled off a blockbuster trade to reunite star Packers receiver Davante Adams with his college quarterback Derek Carr, acquired edge rusher Chandler Jones while re-signing defensive end Maxx Crosby.
The Denver Broncos traded for quarterback Russell Wilson and signed edge rusher Randy Gregory from the Cowboys.
The Los Angeles Chargers acquired edge rusher Khalil Mack and cornerback JC Jackson to join star defensive end Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James — and support rising quarterback Justin Herbert’s offense.
If the Chiefs get past their division rivals, teams like the Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Bills will be waiting in the postseason.
The Bills were one of the NFL’s hungriest teams in 2021, and will likely be even more motivated to push past their playoff demons in 2022.
Signing Miller could extend their championship window for at least the next two or three seasons.
Hopefully Miller arrived right on time — and not a season or two late.