Patriots Should Sign Super Bowl MVP, Future Hall Of Famer Who Is Somehow Still Available originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots pass rush was not great last season, and it lost one of its biggest contributors in K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency.
Chaisson had a career year for the Patriots and signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency. The Patriots addressed his departure by signing Dre'Mont Jones and drafting Gabe Jacas. However, the pass rush could still use some more juice. The team should look into signing Von Miller, who is still a free agent.
Miller is bound for the Hall of Fame when he hangs it up. He is an eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl champion, and was the Super Bowl 50 MVP. He may be 37 now, but he still had nine sacks and 10 tackles for a loss last season. He would have led the Patriots in sacks and been toed for the team lead in tackles for a loss. Miller did that starting just three games, and playing less than 40% of defensive snaps for the Commanders. He did manage to stay healthy the entire season.
He has played less than 40% of snaps for three consecutive seasons now, and it's clear he is no longer the player he once was for the Denver Broncos. However, he is thriving in a limited role where he can come in strictly to get after the quarterback. He has 15 sacks in his last 30 games.
Miler signed a one-year deal with the Commanders last season, and with their addition of Chaisson, they do not need Miller. However, the Patriots could benefit from adding him as a depth piece who comes in on passing situations. Miller has nothing left to prove, but has noted that he does not want to retire.
"I'm definitely not at the beginning, but they're still falling for the same tricks," Miller said on "The Rick Eisen Show" earlier this offseason. "I can't leave. They're still falling for this stuff. I gotta roll the dice again. I had nine sacks last year, and I only played 35, 37 percent, so they're still falling for it. They're still falling for the same tricks I've been doing my whole career. I'm going to keep rolling the dice until they figure it out."
Miller would be a cheap addition for the Patriots, and he would not take significant playing time away from Harold Landry, Jacas or Jones. He would also be great insurance against an injury.
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