Tremendous Bowl or bust? Payments go all-in with Von Miller to remain forward of stacked AFC – Buffalo Payments Weblog

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A yr in the past, the Buffalo Bills sat at residence watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take down Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LV. This yr, they noticed the Los Angeles Rams swarm Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to clinch a title.

The takeaway: Pressuring the quarterback is crucial to reaching that elusive Lombardi Trophy.

Within the 2021 draft, the Payments chosen a defensive finish within the first and second rounds. Then the season ended for a second straight yr with a loss at Arrowhead Stadium. The group nonetheless lacked a dynamic pass-rusher to dominate the road of scrimmage, regardless of Buffalo ending with the No. 1 protection and producing strain on the second-highest charge within the NFL (34% of dropbacks).

Enter two-time Tremendous Bowl champion Von Miller.

Already thought of the favorites to win the Tremendous Bowl, the Payments added one of the best pass-rushers in NFL history and the energetic profession sacks chief (115.5). Miller could possibly be the lacking piece the Payments protection wants to finish a championship run in what is about as much as be an AFC stacked with elite quarterbacks. Not unhealthy for the primary official day of the league yr.

“It’s been loopy, man,” Miller stated in an Instagram video that has since been eliminated. “Loopy 4 hours, going forwards and backwards, man. Loads of issues that I like in L.A., however I simply needed to let I’m coming to Buffalo. Payments Mafia, what’s good? Is [No.] 40 open?”

The Payments agreed to phrases with Miller on a six-year, $120 million contract that features $51.5 million totally assured with $45 million totally assured at signing, sources advised ESPN. That assure is almost double the quantity of another present contract signed by a defensive participant of their 30s.

Basic supervisor Brandon Beane did one thing he would not usually do: Signal a big-time participant to a contract that has the potential to push cash down the street. Buffalo usually sticks to smaller, cheaper free-agency signings.

“I am at all times going to place assets within the entrance [seven]. It is simply how I consider it needs to be constructed,” Beane stated earlier this offseason. “And do not ever be shocked should you see us attempting so as to add there, free company or the draft, at any level.”

The Payments have invested closely of their entrance seven. Miller will be a part of first-round picks Ed Oliver — coming off the perfect season of his profession — and Greg Rousseau, nonetheless growing second-round picks AJ Epenesa and Boogie Basham, and free-agent additions DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle.

All through the 2021 season, the Payments lacked a constant pass-rusher regardless of being the league’s No. 1 move protection (permitting 12 passing touchdowns, 5 fewer than another group). Miller had 41 pressures final season, which might have been essentially the most on the Payments. Free agent Jerry Hughes led the Payments with 37 final season.

Towards Mahomes of their final two playoff losses, the Payments contacted the quarterback on simply 16.7% of dropbacks and registered three mixed sacks. Miller’s 18 pressures within the postseason with the Rams restricted quarterbacks to a 0.7 complete QBR on these performs.

By including the soon-to-be 33-year-old, Buffalo is aiming to take an already sturdy protection to the subsequent stage.

With arguably the NFL’s finest security duo in Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, the one actual concern on this protection is at cornerback. The Payments misplaced starter Levi Wallace in free company to Pittsburgh and Tre’Davious White is getting back from a torn ACL. The place is arguably the largest concern on the roster, however there’s time to deal with that in each the draft (the Payments have 9 picks) and the remainder of free company.

Whereas signing Miller helps preserve tempo within the AFC — hiya, Russell Wilson — it additionally provides a frontrunner with in depth Tremendous Bowl expertise. Miller and new tight finish O.J. Howard are actually the one gamers on the Payments roster with Tremendous Bowl rings, and Miller has been acknowledged from his restricted time with the Rams as making a big impression on the group’s mindset and deal with incomes that title. Miller’s earlier groups have received seven straight playoff video games.

The message from the Miller signing is obvious.

It’s Tremendous Bowl-or-bust time in Buffalo.