Von Miller, a Desoto native and Texas A&M legend, is now living out his dream to play for his hometown team, the Dallas Cowboys, after signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal that could max out to $7.5 million if built-in incentives are met.
Source: Von Miller’s deal with the Cowboys is for one year, $5.5 million. With contract incentives, it has a maximum value of $7.5 million
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 17, 2026
While adding Von Miller to the mix isn’t the “substantive” trade many of us have been anticipating to upgrade the pass rush, his addition helps. The 37-year-old proved last year he still has plenty left in the tank with a nine QB sack season in 2025 and that kind of production is something the Cowboys can definitely use more of.
Miller brings a wealth of experience and production with him to Dallas as well as a résumé that will make him a first ballot future Hall of Famer in the not-too-distant future.
- 2x Super Bowl champion
- 7x All-Pro
- 8x Pro Bowler
- 203 games
- 138.5 sacks
- 27 forced fumbles
- 9 fumble recoveries
Dallas ! Let’s make this one Special ! 😈 pic.twitter.com/STWZiqBLij
— Von Miller (@VonMiller) August 17, 2026
Von Miller certainly seems to be excited about playing for the Cowboys this year and we should as well. He may not be the player he once was, but he helps stabilize the position and upgrades things from a depth standpoint.
The only question now is how many OLBs Dallas will carry on the roster and who makes the cut?
The guess here is the Dallas Cowboys will carry six OLBs on the active 53-man roster this season with a couple more on the practice squad to be called up when/if needed. As things stand right now, we have Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku as the starter’s with Malachi Lawrence and now Von Miller as the primary backups. That leaves two spots up for grabs.
Outside the top four, we have James Houston securing a roster spot as the fifth OLB on the depth chart right now. He’s played well since signing with the Cowboys as a free agent last year and provides special teams value as well, playing 37.19% of Dallas’ special teams snaps last year. With his spot likely secured, that leaves one undecided.
The Cowboys other current options to claim the final OLB roster spot are Sam Williams, a former 2022 second-round pick, and Marist Liufau, a third-round pick in 2024. Tyrus Wheat and Isiah Land are also hoping to crash the party.
Williams is more of a prototypical OLB by NFL standards, but Liufau has the potential position flex to play off-ball or outside LB. Between the two, the better special teams player could win out.
Both Williams and Liufau have proven their special teams value with the Cowboys over the years. The former played 29.55% of the special teams snaps last year while the latter played 74.59%. Based on this and No. 35’s position flex, we predict Liufau as the edge over Williams to round out Dallas’ OLB position this year, leaving No. 54 then as Dallas’ best trade candidate.
Final OLB depth chart prediction
- Rashan Gary
- Donovan Ezeiruaku
- Malachi Lawrence
- Von Miller
- James Houston
- Marist Liufau
Hit the comments and let us know your OLB depth chart after the Von Miller signing.