von miller
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Von Miller.
The Las Vegas Raiders have many needs all over the roster this offseason. Since new head coach Klint Kubiak comes from an offensive background, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they spent most of their money on that side of the ball.
However, the defense also needs a lot of work. Star defensive end Maxx Crosby could be traded, and he’s the only consistent pass rusher on the roster.
The Raiders aren’t going to spend big money on a veteran this offseason, but could look to add a cheaper, older player. Von Miller is one of the best pass rushers in NFL history, but he’s getting closer to 40 and could be nearing retirement.
He may still have another season or two left in him. Greg Auman of FOX Sports predicted that Miller will sign with the Raiders in free agency.
“Miller, 36, managed to lead Washington with nine sacks in 2025 while playing rotational snaps on an affordable $6 million deal. Can he do it again for Year 16? Of course, he can. He’s the NFL’s active career sack leader with 138.5, a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he’s playing for a fraction of what he cost a few years ago. He played in his heyday for Gary Kubiak in Denver, so could he finish his career with Klint in Las Vegas?”
Miller & Kubiak Go Way Back
Miller isn’t going to be a big impact player at this point in his career, but he did have 9.0 sacks with the Washington Commanders last season. He still knows how to get after the quarterback and could be valuable as a situational pass rusher.
Plus, Kubiak and Miller actually go way back. Kubiak’s first coaching job was as an offensive quality control coach at Texas A&M when Miller was still playing at the program.
Kubiak was also on the Denver Broncos‘ staff for many years while Miller was on the roster. Now, Kubiak was coaching offense, so it’s not clear if he has any relationship with Miller, but they definitely know each other in some capacity. If he’s looking for a spot to finish his career, joining Kubiak in Las Vegas could be an easy fit for him.
Will Raiders Bring Back Malcolm Koonce?
The Raiders were hoping that Malcolm Koonce would take a step forward in 2025, but he struggled coming off an injury. He showed a lot of promise in 2023, but hasn’t proven to be consistent.
He could be a franchise tag candidate, but Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports predicts that the Raiders won’t end up tagging him.
“Most of the attention this offseason will be on Maxx Crosby and his future with the Raiders, but don’t forget that Malcolm Koonce has also flashed at times during his tenure,” Sullivan wrote. “After a knee injury erased his entire 2024 season, Koonce inked a one-year, $12 million deal to remain with Las Vegas last offseason and posted 4.5 sacks (13 quarterback hits) over 17 games (three starts) in 2025. The Raiders have the second-most cap space in the league this offseason, and while Koonce could factor into their plans for how they’ll spend that money, he is not the caliber of player they’ll retain via the franchise tag.”