One couldn't ever accuse Adam Peters of being an absent general manager. He's incredibly active, turning over every stone to improve the Washington Commanders' roster. Nobody would deny that it's not in a better place now.
Some signings have paid off. The jury is still out on others. There are far more hits than misses, which is why the Commanders went from the NFL's basement to the NFC Championship game in the first season under his leadership.
It's been a rockier ride so far in 2025, but the Commanders did well to tread water while dealing with some horrible injury issues. And there is one signing that could arguably be Peters' most significant win of free agency if the same trend continues.
Von Miller has been a fantastic signing for the Commanders through five games
Considering the exceptional credentials that Von Miller brought to the table, not much was expected of the veteran edge rusher. He's a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer one day, but at 36 years old, the player's highest levels of performance are now long behind him.
Peters believed there was some good football left, signing Miller to a one-year, $6.1 million deal just before the campaign began. More importantly, the Commanders are utilizing him effectively as part of their surprising defensive front.
Miller isn't being tasked with too much, which is expected. He's logged 39 percent of defensive snaps — his highest since 2022 — but the primary goal is to create havoc in obvious pass-rushing situations.
It's having the desired effect. The former Texas A&M star already has three sacks and 10 pressures through five games. Miller could potentially reach double-digits at his current pace, which is far greater than even the biggest optimist envisaged.
Having Miller comes with added benefits. He brings instant legitimacy — someone that opposing offensive lines have to focus on, regardless of his age. It's no surprise to see Dorance Armstrong having an outstanding year, with his five sacks tied for second in the league.
That won't show up on Miller's stat sheet, but it's a sign of his impact going way beyond his own individual highlights. That is not even counting his mentoring and leadership efforts behind the scenes, which have also garnered rave reviews.
Managing Miller's reps to ensure he'll be ready to help down the stretch and into the playoffs should be at the back of Quinn's mind. Even so, Peters must be absolutely thrilled by the way this signing is turning out when not many thought there was much juice left to squeeze.
So far, so good. And there is life in the old dog yet.
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