Von Miller has won two Super Bowl titles since he entered the NFL in 2011. The Dallas Cowboys haven’t even sniffed an NFC championship game in that span. Miller’s experience is what could have the biggest influence on his new team.
“What he’s accomplished is incredible. What you hear about him as a teammate is even more incredible,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Monday, Aug. 17. “He’s going to add a lot. Not just on the field, but off the field as well.”
Miller is undoubtedly one of the best pass rushers of his generation. Miller was the recipient of the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2011. Plus, the veteran has been named to the Pro Bowl eight times and a first- or second-team All-Pro seven times. His 138.5 career sacks are the most among active players.
Yet, the Super Bowl 50 MVP award and being part of the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl 56 squad are the factors that should make him invaluable to a Cowboys franchise – and an owner – starved for a Super Bowl.
The Cowboys have made no secret of their desire to reach the football mountain top. Quarterback Dak Prescott wore a Super Bowl 30 T-shirt when he arrived at training camp. A not-so-subtle nod to the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl victory 30 years ago (Jan. 28, 1996). Multiple players have talked about the Super Bowl as the Cowboys prepare for the season in Oxnard.
“That’s important when you’re a champion. You can speak to that as we climb this ladder, and we get closer to our main objective which is SoFi (Stadium) 2027 on Valentine’s Day,” Schottenheimer said of Miller’s championship experience. “The biggest reason is we think he’s going to impact us on and off the field as a player. He’s gonna give us great versatility and great depth as a pass rusher. And then the locker room, the experience and the fact that he cares about his teammates.”
Miller is the latest addition to what’s been a defensive overhaul since the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers a year ago. Dallas named Christian Parker defensive coordinator in January and then supplied him with as many as six new starters on defense.
Don’t expect Miller to start. The Cowboys are excited about edge rushers Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku and 2026 first-round pick Malachi Lawrence. At 37 years old, Miller’s not the disruptive edge rusher that he was in his prime. But his nine sacks with the Washington Commanders last season are proof he’s still got some pass rush juice left in the tank.
Still, Miller’s championship experience is what’s most beneficial to the Cowboys.
“We’re not expecting him to come here and play 40 plays a game. Ten to 15 great plays sound good to me. If it’s 18 to 20, that’s cool, too. He’s a great addition, but that room's really talented. I’m so excited about what we’re building in that room with those guys,” Schottenheimer said. “Von is going to make us better on and off the field.”
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: How Von Miller’s Super Bowl experience could elevate the Cowboys | Opinion