When the Washington Commanders signed linebacker/edge Von Miller last week, some wondered how much the 36-year-old future Hall of Famer had left. In a limited role with the Buffalo Bills last season, Miller still recorded six sacks in only 33% of Buffalo’s defensive snaps.

For Miller, that’s not going to change in Washington. He was signed to do one thing: rush the passer. Something that comes naturally to him.

“Yeah, they going to let me rush,” Miller said Thursday after Day 2 of training camp with a laugh. “They’re going to let me rush, that’s what I do, that’s what I do. I can still roll out the bed at 36 years old with my house shoes on and still rush the passer. There’s other stuff that I gotta work at to get better at, of course, but the main thing for me is rushing the passer. I can do that right when I wake up fresh out of sleep. So, love rushing the passer.”

Miller was being funny, but he was also being honest. Throughout the offseason, Washington GM Adam Peters took swings at different edge rushers, names such as Myles Garrett (unavailable and re-signed) and Trey Hendrickson, but did not swing a deal. He wasn’t going to overpay for a talented but unproven player in free agency, so he waited and signed one of the best pass rushers in NFL history.

LIVE: OLB Von Miller speaks to the media after practice https://t.co/EjkenDSOM2

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 24, 2025

While Miller is known for his ability to rush the passer, he’s also an excellent all-around defender. Washington’s leader in sacks last season, Dante Fowler Jr., departed this offseason. The Commanders allowed Fowler to walk because they wanted edge defenders who could also defend the run. Fowler struggled there. Miller, even at 36, does not.

Miller’s primary goal is to chase quarterbacks, but his leadership and character also make him a natural fit for Washington.

I’m a team guy through and through,” he said. “Those are the two things that I toot my horn on. It’s nothing like being on a team with other guys that’s just like me going towards a common goal. I’ve been on a football team since I was in the fifth grade, so now we talking about 25 years, something like that, playing football. So, I just know the dynamics of a locker room. I lead with love.”

As long as Miller remains healthy, head coach Dan Quinn takes care of his veterans, this could be an excellent marriage for both sides in 2025.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Von Miller is honest about how he can help the Commanders