The season was 2015, and the 15-1 Carolina Panthers would go onto to knock off the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the NFC playoffs on the way to Super Bowl 50. Unfortunately, the sight of Denver Broncos’ linebacker Von Miller was too much for quarterback Cam Newton and Ron Rivera’s team to handle. The defensive terror totaled six tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles in his team’s 24-10 win that afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) dives for a fumble by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
If you are the current Carolina Panthers, let’s say that the team might be more than happy to see the ageless defender, who is one of those aging NFL free agents who could be difference makers that Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report referred to his in his latest piece.
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Veteran edge rusher Von Miller still has a lot to offer
Sep 21, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA;Washington Commanders outside linebacker Von Miller (24) sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
“Fun fact-and a bit of a wild one. In 15 years in the NFL, Von Miller never led the league in sacks. He also never won the Defensive Player of the Year award. But that’s about all Miller didn’t accomplish in a career that will one day end with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
“He has logged 138.5 career sacks,” added Devenport, “including nine in just 420 snaps last season with the Washington Commanders. He was the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year, made it to eight Pro Bowls, was a first-team All-Pro three times, and was named the MVP of Denver’s victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.”
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Davenport continued. “In 2021, Miller was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, where he won another Super Bowl (LVI).” He had a pair of sacks in the team’s 23-20 win over the Bengals. It was off to Buffalo in 2022, where he managed a combined 14.0 sacks in three seasons. Perhaps that’s why Miller’s nine sack performance for the 5-12 Commanders in 2025 was somewhat surprising and went a bit under the radar.
15-year defender Von Miller wants to play in 2026
“While appearing on The Rich Eisen Show (earlier this month), “Miller said a return to Denver to finish his career would be a dream come true, but one way or another, he wants to play in 2026,” said Davenport.
This offseason, Panthers’ general manager Dan Morgan signed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four-year contract, $120 million contract. He managed a career-best 8.5 sacks in his rookie season in 2021.
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It’s safe to say Miller could not only lend a little advice to Phillips, but second-year pros Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen as well.
What a twist of irony in Charlotte if the relentless defender revived the Panthers’ pass rush, just over a decade after he helped deny the franchise a Super Bowl title.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/panthers/onsi as 138.5-Sack Commanders Veteran Would Make Perfect, Ironic Add for Panthers.
