FILE – Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speaks to the media before practice in Orchard Park, N.Y., on oct 17, 2024. The Bills secured their leadership duo, general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott, through the 2027 season with two-year contract extensions on oct 23. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)
For several seasons, the Buffalo Bills have seemed close to a breakthrough, needing just one more step to reach the Super Bowl. With another opportunity in 2024, roster adjustments may lead the Bills to explore trade options during the training camp.
The focus is on identifying potential trade candidates rather than players the team needs to part with. Leading this list is edge rusher Von Miller, along with tight end Dawson Knox and linebacker Nicholas Morrow.
First, let’s outline the key reasons for considering a trade for Miller. At 35 years old, coming off a disappointing season, his goal is to win the Super Bowl.
Don’t the Bills need Von Miller to succeed?
That’s a reasonable argument. A player with Miller’s experience can be crucial in high-stakes moments. He is certainly a valuable postseason asset.
Examining his recent performance, Miller had only eight sacks in 2019, breaking a streak of five consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks. After missing all of 2020 due to an ankle injury, he returned with 9.5 sacks in 2021. In his first season with the Bills in 2022, he recorded eight sacks, but last year, despite playing in 12 games, he didn’t register any.
Miller stated that he should not have played in 2023, revealing that he was injured throughout the season and is currently recovering from a torn ACL. “It’s crazy how you get injured, come back, and people judge you based on your performance on the field,” he remarked. But how else can players be assessed if not by their on-field results? Is he suggesting the Bills’ medical staff shouldn’t have allowed him to play?
Miller acknowledged, “I could have easily missed the entire season last year, but I didn’t want to let my teammates down. Being later in my career, I didn’t want to waste any time. But honestly, I shouldn’t have been out there, and it frustrates me that people are evaluating me based on that.”
Despite his claims, the Bills didn’t reach their goals in 2023. So, Miller wants everyone to believe that his unproductive season helped his teammates. Shouldn’t he have stepped aside for a healthier player to make an impact? Essentially, Miller is asserting that his presence on the field, regardless of his performance, benefits the team. Really? In the NFL?
Miller’s lack of accountability and inflated sense of self-worth are not conducive to winning. While playing through injuries is often commendable in the short term, doing so for twelve games is questionable.
Imagine if quarterback Josh Allen played through a similar injury and had zero touchdown passes in 12 games. If he followed Miller’s approach, he might feel “angry” at those criticizing his lack of production.
Miller claims to be a team player, but he’s making it about himself. You can’t have it both ways. If he tries, another team might take advantage.
Consider how much the Bills could gain in a trade for Miller. Looking at the receiver situation, Buffalo could benefit from better support for Allen. Unless rookie Keon Coleman becomes an immediate standout, the team lacks strength at that position.
Yes, Dalton Kincaid should contribute from tight end, but the Bills need another wide receiver. Miller could be th
e key to making that trade happen.
Having said that, the Bills are under no obligation to trade Miller. Perhaps he has one more Pro Bowl season left, despite the fact that his last was in 2019. And if the old Miller shows up at the right times this season, the Bills might just climb over the hurdle.
TE Dawson Knox has trade value too.
Only three seasons ago, Knox’s monster exploits put him on the NFL tight end map. He grabbed 49 passes for 587 yards and, perhaps most importantly, scored nine touchdowns. He had another successful year in 2022, earning 517 yads and six touchdowns. However, he did not play a significant role in the offense previous year, having only appeared in 12 games.
Knox was reduced to a supporting role after Kincaid emerged. However, other teams may consider the value to be worth a moderate trade offer. The Bills have a problem with Knox because of his starting tight end contract. The four-year, $52 million contract isn’t ideal for a backup.
The former third-round pick is 27 years old, so he could have two or three productive seasons left. That is especially true if he is able to secure a starting position again.
LB Nicholas Morrow could participate in trade negotiations.
If the Bills keep Miller, they could trade him for another linebacker. Nicholas Morrow is in his sixth season in the league, however he has played for four different teams in the last four years
He’s traveled extensively, yet he stays on the field. Every season, he has played 14 or more games, including four occasions where he played 16 or more. In 2022, he recorded 116 tackles for the Bears. He also recorded 95 tackles and three sacks for the Eagles last season.
The Bills added a bunch of linebackers this year, with Terrel Bernard, Baylon Spector, and Matt Milano returning. Morrow was brought in as insurance for Milano, who suffered a leg injury last season. Depending on Milano’s recovery, Morrow may become a trade candidate once the season begins
