April 1 is an exhausting day to cover the NFL. It’s barely past noon on the east coast. We’ve now had multiple football stars drop fake signing or trade news in an effort to fill the void between the first frenzied week of free agency and the draft at the end of the month.
First it was Dion Dawkins, pretend exiling him to the Miami Dolphins’ rebuild in a tweet everyone saw through. Von Miller’s April Fool’s post, however, is a bit more believable. The former defensive player of the year is a free agent but coming off a season in which he had nine sacks despite a subpar 11.9 percent pressure rate. As a faded star at a position of need, it’s logical he could become a Las Vegas Raider.
So, Wednesday afternoon, that’s what he told the world.
Is it true? Probably not, but it would at least make sense. Las Vegas needs help around Maxx Crosby, back in town after his failed trade to the Baltimore Ravens. Miller can still play with his hand on the turf or from the outside linebacker slot, particularly in a rotational role alongside newly re-signed Malcolm Koonce.
At the very least, Miller’s joke could plant a seed. And if it’s an actual, poorly timed signing it’s a reasonable one as long as it isn’t too expensive for a 37-year-old.
But still, it’s April Fool’s out there. Keep your head on a swivel. Believe nothing you read on social media.
