Von Miller’s path to Bills in first foray into free agency: ‘Buffalo just chose me’

[DrDawkinstein]

https://theathletic.com/3387676/2022/07/07/von-miller-bills-rams-broncos/?source=user-shared-article&redirected=1

 

Quote

Earlier that day, the 33-year-old became a free agent for the first time in his career. Now he was on a private plane to Buffalo to sign with the Bills. And he was second-guessing himself.

 

I am going to miss my teammates so much.

 

There are no direct flights to Buffalo from the other cities I spend a lot of time in.

 

Nobody wants to play in sub-zero weather.

 

Miller was backing out. He told himself he was going to the Bills offices in Orchard Park and telling GM Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott he had decided not to sign face to face. He would offer to pay for the private plane ride.

 

When he arrived, he asked to use the bathroom and locked himself in for 15 minutes. Someone finally checked on him. “Hey, you all right?”

 

Not really.

 

 

[BRH]

There are non-stop (not just direct) flights daily between Buffalo and Denver, Dallas, and LA.  What other cities does he "spend a lot of time in"?

 

Other than that, it was a great article.

[DrDawkinstein]

And the happy ending (NOT the Kraft/Watson type you scumbags!)

 

Quote

On a shelf in Miller’s boyhood bedroom sits a ballcap with a blue buffalo and a red stripe. The cap has been there for 11 years.

 

In 2011, Miller was convinced he would be taken by the Bills with the third pick of the draft. He wore the cap while working out to prepare for the NFL combine. The night before the draft, when he heard the Broncos planned to take him with the second pick, he was stunned. He put the cap on the shelf, where it remained all these years.

 

The truth is, back then the Bills badly wanted Miller.

 

“We would have definitely taken him,” says Doug Whaley, the Bills’ assistant GM at the time.

 

After the Panthers took quarterback Cam Newton first, the Broncos selected Miller, whom Denver head coach John Fox thought was the best player in the draft. The Bills then chose defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, but they never forgot about Miller.

 

Beane recalls the Bills inquiring about Miller’s availability in 2019, but the Broncos were not interested in moving him then. After Paton replaced Elway as general manager, Beane asked about Miller again in early 2021. Paton told him they weren’t looking to trade him. Then, when Miller finally was on the trade block last season, Beane made a third run at him. The Broncos and Rams were a better match, however, and Miller was sent west instead of east.

 

About three years ago, Miller looked up Allen on Instagram and kiddingly told him they would join forces on the Bills one day. In the time since, Miller watched the Bills closely and imagined himself there. Branion says a couple of years ago, Miller told him the Bills were a team he would be interested in joining.

 

So really, Miller didn’t become a Bill quickly. From the dusty sprawl of North Texas to the feathered foothills of Colorado and the palm tree-lined streets of Southern California, the pull to Buffalo has been unceasing.

 

This wasn’t just Miller’s decision, it seems.

 

“This place chose me,” Miller says. “Buffalo just chose me. And it’s been trying to choose me all of these years.”

 

[Logic]

Great article.

A fine example of why I find The Athletic to be a highly worthwhile subscription.

The "he was gonna back out" angle is a new addition to the story. Certainly helps explain why he looked like his dog died in his "touring the Bills facility" video.

Credit to Beane and the Bills staff for sealing the deal with a player who was having serious second thoughts. 

[Royale with Cheese]

It's fate.  He is the final piece to bringing home the Lombardi.

[Not at the table Karlos]

Just now, Logic said:

Great article.

A fine example of why I find The Athletic to be a highly worthwhile subscription.

The "he was gonna back out" angle is a new addition to the story. Certainly helps explain why he looked like his dog died in his "touring the Bills facility" video.

Credit to Beane and the Bills staff for sealing the deal with a player who was having serious second thoughts. 

He said this in his first press conference 

[Augie]

I’m sure he got a good vibe from everyone he met, and that helped him commit. That along with our high end facilities. 

 

 

 

 

Oh, and the money. Has anyone mentioned the money? Buffalo “chose to open the checkbook”.  Love Von, don’t blame the guy, but he wasn’t coming for the vet minimum. 

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

Honestly, he's said a lot of stuff like this and I feel like it would be good to stop.

[SCBills]

8 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

Honestly, he's said a lot of stuff like this and I feel like it would be good to stop.

 

I get how it can be annoying, but he has zero ties to Buffalo.  

 

Played his entire career in Denver.  Was traded to LA.  Hometown is Dallas.  

 

He has ties in all those places that Buffalo could never replicate.  He's an honest guy, and I'm entirely confident that we'll hear similar stories from him down the line about how much Buffalo also means to him.

 

We have guys like Stefon Diggs wanting to re-sign here.  If a player loves football, Bills Mafia is the fanbase to rep, and Von loves football.  

[Bobby Hooks]

14 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

Honestly, he's said a lot of stuff like this and I feel like it would be good to stop.

Yeah, really. You’re a Bill now. We’re getting to TMI territory. 
 

You were ready to back out? Okay, makes sense, it’s a big choice. But I would’ve signed with Dallas for less because it’s Dallas? Not sure how that information benefits anyone, especially the people from Buffalo and your new teammates. 
 

Even if it makes all the sense in the world to him. Who is the demographic for this information? Cowboys fans? Let’s move along. 

Edited July 7, 2022 by Bobby Hooks

[Warcodered]

11 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

Honestly, he's said a lot of stuff like this and I feel like it would be good to stop.

He just seems to be at the point of his career where he's very honest about things no BS. I don't really care that a guy was willing to give the hometown team he grew up dreaming of playing on a discount if they'd gotten closer to what he wanted. Of course he was torn on a decision that could likely be his last stop of his NFL career, once he's made the decision I'm sure he's completely bought in now.

[Logic]

28 minutes ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

He said this in his first press conference 

I don't recall him saying definitively that he was going to back out, and that he had decided that he would tell Beane face-to-face that he wasn't signing. I remember him saying he was having serious second thoughts and doubts, but not that he was planning to back out. I certainly may be wrong, but that's how I remember it.

[Warcodered]

1 minute ago, Logic said:

I don't recall him saying definitively that he was going to back out, and that he had decided that he would tell Beane face-to-face that he wasn't signing. I remember him saying he was having serious second thoughts and doubts, but not that he was planning to back out. I certainly may be wrong, but that's how I remember it.

I don't remember where, but I do think I saw him say this at some point.

[Big Blitz]

9 minutes ago, Bobby Hooks said:

Yeah, really. You’re a Bill now. We’re getting to TMI territory. 
 

You were ready to back out? Okay, makes sense, it’s a big choice. But I would’ve signed with Dallas for less because it’s Dallas? Not sure how that information benefits anyone, especially the people from Buffalo and your new teammates. 

 

 

I think he meant because it is home.

 

I'd much rather these guys just say it - it's about the money AND best chance to win.

 

 

But I agree I really don't care how honest he wants to be, we paid you a ***k ton of money no one wants to hear anything other "sure there were 1 or 2 other teams I considered but I chose Buffalo this is where I want to finish my career."  

 

They all have second thoughts.  Of course they do.  

 

But part of our "process" here is....not the stuff he keeps saying out loud.  

 

Spare me the "he had a Bills hat" on his shelf in his draft year.  Don't care.  Or "Buffalo chose me."  My God.  Stop it. 

 

 

D-line remains my #1 concern with this team - lots of new faces and chemistry that's going to take time it is no different then OL.  And we payed a 33 year old to come play in a lead role.  You better freaking ball.   

Edited July 7, 2022 by Big Blitz

[Warcodered]

2 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

 

 

I think he meant because it is home.

 

I'd much rather these guys just say it - it's about the money AND best chance to win.

 

 

But I agree I really don't care how honest he wants to be, we paid you a ***k ton of money no one wants to hear anything other "sure there were 1 or 2 other teams I considered but I chose Buffalo this is where I want to finish my career."  

 

They all have second thoughts.  Of course they do.  

 

But part of our "process" here is....not the stuff he keeps saying out loud.  

 

Spare me the "he had a Bills hat" on his shelf in his draft year.  Don't care.  Or "Buffalo chose me."  My God.  Stop it. 

 

 

D-line remains my #1 concern with this team - lots of new faces and chemistry that's going to take time it is no different then OL.  And we payed a 33 year old to come play in a lead role.  You better freaking ball.   

It's the first year here in Buffalo and the season hasn't even started yet, every time he does interviews or gets asked questions he's going to get asked about the process of coming here, I really don't get why people are letting this bug them. I'd rather be on this side of the conversation than Cowboys fans hearing about how he almost could have been there.

[Bobby Hooks]

12 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

He just seems to be at the point of his career where he's very honest about things no BS. I don't really care that a guy was willing to give the hometown team he grew up dreaming of playing on a discount if they'd gotten closer to what he wanted. Of course he was torn on a decision that could likely be his last stop of his NFL career, once he's made the decision I'm sure he's completely bought in now.

I mean, I like to think of myself as an honest person. But there’s honesty and then there’s sharing information that doesn’t benefit anyone. I’m just not sure how the Dallas stuff benefits anyone. 
 

Thinking about backing out, sure, I get that it’s a big deal. 

[BRH]

So what do you guys want?  Do you want a guy who wanted to come here just because we're a good team, give him a great chance at winning another title, and pay him the most money ...  or do you want a guy who thinks hard about his decisions, is open to new information, and is ultimately sold by the GM, coaches, players, etc that this is the best place to be?

 

The guy grew up in Texas, spent his career in Denver, and just won a title in LA.  I can't begrudge him having second thoughts.  A lot of guys would have turned the plane around.  Or slunk away and signed elsewhere after giving a verbal commitment, like McKissic.  He gave us a chance and we convinced him.  I love that.  

 

Honestly, I'd be a lot madder if I were a Cowboys fan.  Dallas had the chance to bring in a Hall of Famer and thought they could do it on the cheap just because they're Dallas.

Edited July 7, 2022 by BRH

[aceman_16]

46 minutes ago, Logic said:

Great article.

A fine example of why I find The Athletic to be a highly worthwhile subscription.

The "he was gonna back out" angle is a new addition to the story. Certainly helps explain why he looked like his dog died in his "touring the Bills facility" video.

Credit to Beane and the Bills staff for sealing the deal with a player who was having serious second thoughts. 

The Athletic is my only virtual subscription. Their articles are written well and are top notch imo.

[Big Blitz]

11 minutes ago, BRH said:

So what do you guys want?  Do you want a guy who wanted to come here just because we're a good team, give him a great chance at winning another title, and pay him the most money ...  or do you want a guy who thinks hard about his decisions, is open to new information, and is ultimately sold by the GM, coaches, players, etc that this is the best place to be?

 

The guy grew up in Texas, spent his career in Denver, and just won a title in LA.  I can't begrudge him having second thoughts.  A lot of guys would have turned the plane around.  Or slunk away and signed elsewhere after giving a verbal commitment, like McKissic.  He gave us a chance and we convinced him.  I love that.  

 

Honestly, I'd be a lot madder if I were a Cowboys fan.  Dallas had the chance to bring in a Hall of Famer and thought they could do it on the cheap just because they're Dallas.

 

 

It just makes any talk of "this was the best chance to win" seem hollow because it was about the money and when you want to win the trust of your teammates and endure yourself to fans, I think it's best to keep this private.  Idk....maybe they all talk like this.  But it's just not something that jibes with our process especially when you have guys like Philips and Shaq openly clamoring to get back here - and one of them might get cut.  Maybe both.  

 

He's 33.  And entering a situation on a D line where he is now THE guy.  Not Oliver.  Not Rousseau - not yet.  It's him.  No Aaron Donald or Bradley Chubb to compliment him and get the attention. 

 

I'm thrilled we have him.  I think my expectations aren't as high as others.  Father time will catch up with him and the last thing I want is a Miller operating at 75% of his usual self say by next season and him not being thrilled about being here if things aren't going well.  

 

I guess at the very least the only 2 teams I can accept him saying he'd go to were the Rams and Cowboys.  

 

 

Rousseau and Oliver really need to be beasts this season.  

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Believe it or not this is an honest view on how free agency works. It’s a huge decision and until they sign players likely go back and forth when they have options.

 

Buffalo is not a dream destination for any player. 

Edited July 7, 2022 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Royale with Cheese]

4 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Believe it or not this is an honest view on how free agency works. It’s a huge decision and until they sign players likely go back and forth when they have options.

 

Buffalo is not a dream destination for any player. 

 

I think Tim Settle and DaQuan Jones will tell you differently.  

 

Settled "whooed" in his press conference and Jones is from Binghamton.  

[RyanC883]

what was OBD backup plan?   Chandler Jones was already gone by this point.  

8 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Believe it or not this is an honest view on how free agency works. It’s a huge decision and until they sign players likely go back and forth when they have options.

 

Buffalo is not a dream destination for any player. 

 

False.  You get to play on a great team, with great facilities, in front of the most rabid/passionate fans in the NFL.  

[DrDawkinstein]

6 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

what was OBD backup plan?   Chandler Jones was already gone by this point.  

 

 

Good question. I'd guess our backup plan was likely, well... our backups. Maybe bring Jerry or Mario back for a year as well. There wasnt much talent left out there to sign if Miller didnt work out. Hence Beane opening the vaults.

[SCBills]

3 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

what was OBD backup plan?   Chandler Jones was already gone by this point.  

 

False.  You get to play on a great team, with great facilities, in front of the most rabid/passionate fans in the NFL.  

 

There's Free Agents and then there's "Von Miller Type" Free Agents. 

 

Buffalo being good, great owner, great facilities, rabid fanbase certainly seems to be helping us with normal FA's.  

 

Superstar FA's are always going to be a different deal.  They have options and are typically choosing between multiple contenders all throwing big money at them.  

 

We have 4 legit superstars on this team right now.  Allen, Diggs, Miller and White.  Two were drafted, one was traded for and one came here as a FA.  The three already in the building wouldn't want to be anywhere else.  

 

We are attracting good FA's and our star players don't want to leave, but going after superstar FA's is always going to be a different animal.  Especially for teams in the north. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

12 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

I think Tim Settle and DaQuan Jones will tell you differently.  

 

Settled "whooed" in his press conference and Jones is from Binghamton.  

You don’t think these players had private conversations about other teams?

[Royale with Cheese]

2 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

You don’t think these players had private conversations about other teams?

 

Maybe, maybe not.  Not sure if that means anything if he did.  It's like you're insinuating they ALL wanted to go somewhere else but they weren't wanted or pursued hard enough so they settled for the Bills.  

 

 

[BuffaloMatt]

YES!!!! We got Von Miller!

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Just now, Royale with Cheese said:

 

Maybe, maybe not.  Not sure if that means anything if he did.  It's like you're insinuating they ALL wanted to go somewhere else but they weren't wanted or pursued hard enough so they settled for the Bills.  

 

 

That’s how you’re hearing it. I said Buffalo is not a dream location for free agents. 

[Big Blitz]

Cowboys' Trevon Diggs doesn't rule out playing with brother Stefon Diggs: 'It could happen eventually'

 

The Diggs brothers have discussed the possibility of teaming up for years, according to a Sports Illustrated profile, and Trevon said this week he thinks "it could happen eventually."

 

Stefon, who's five years older than Trevon, told SI's Alex Prewitt that his "dream" of a brotherly team-up, which has never occurred at any level due to their age gap, is probably "out of reach now" that he's committed to Buffalo for the long haul:

 

"Maybe in the next lifetime or something. I want to finish with the Bills, and I'm pretty sure (Trevon's) not going anywhere anytime soon."

 

But the younger Diggs, who's entering his third NFL season in Dallas, left the door open.

 

"Who knows?" he said. "I feel like it could happen eventually."

 

The most likely scenario, at this point, would involve Trevon changing teams. The former second-round pick has quickly become one of the Cowboys' most visible players, leading the NFL with 11 interceptions during a 2021 All-Pro breakout. It's possible, should he remain one of the league's top playmakers, that he could price his way out of Dallas when free agency approaches. But that won't come until 2024, at the earliest, which is when Diggs' rookie contract expires.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cowboys-trevon-diggs-doesnt-rule-out-playing-with-brother-stefon-diggs-it-could-happen-eventually/

 

[Royale with Cheese]

10 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

That’s how you’re hearing it. I said Buffalo is not a dream location for free agents. 

 

https://wyrk.com/buffalo-bills-top-destination/

 

"I don't think you can talk about the Bills and not talk about winning," said Jones. That has a lot to do with people wanting to come here in free agency," added Jones.

Jones said he was on the number two defense last year, but Buffalo was number one and wanted to come here when free agency hit.

Read More: New Bills Player Explains Why Buffalo is a Top NFL Destination | https://wyrk.com/buffalo-bills-top-destination/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

[Buffalo_Stampede]

6 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

https://wyrk.com/buffalo-bills-top-destination/

 

"I don't think you can talk about the Bills and not talk about winning," said Jones. That has a lot to do with people wanting to come here in free agency," added Jones.

Jones said he was on the number two defense last year, but Buffalo was number one and wanted to come here when free agency hit.

Read More: New Bills Player Explains Why Buffalo is a Top NFL Destination | https://wyrk.com/buffalo-bills-top-destination/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Ugh. How many players ever speak honestly in the media? 
 

Buffalo is definitely a place players want to play because they can win, it’s not a dream destination. 

Edited July 7, 2022 by Buffalo_Stampede

[RoyBatty is alive]

50 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Believe it or not this is an honest view on how free agency works. It’s a huge decision and until they sign players likely go back and forth when they have options.

 

Buffalo is not a dream destination for any player. 

Sometimes you have to be precise on this Board or you will get picked apart,  

 

 

I think if you had written Buffalo is not a dream destination for MANY instead of ANY there wouldnt be as much push back,

[Gugny]

I can't tell you how many times someone at work has given me their notice and when I talk them into staying, they still end up leaving in less than a month.

 

Why?

 

Because the reason they gave their notice in the first place was because they didn't really want to be there.

 

This article concerns the hell out of me.  My biggest takeaway is that Beane and Co., had to talk Miller into signing.  He clearly admits that Buffalo was not his first choice and that he was having serious second thoughts.

 

I hope this ends well.

 

[Patrick Duffy]

20 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

That’s how you’re hearing it. I said Buffalo is not a dream location for free agents. 

 

It depends, if you're talking as for the cold, weather conditions I can see how it's not....As for the team itself, for sure a top destiny a player would want joining a winning team 

[DrDawkinstein]

5 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Sometimes you have to be precise on this Board or you will get picked apart,  

 

 

I think if you had written Buffalo is not a dream destination for MANY instead of ANY there wouldnt be as much push back,

 

And also, are we talking about Buffalo as a location in the northeast, or Buffalo as the Buffalo Bills organization?

[Buffalo_Stampede]

1 minute ago, Sheneneh Jenkins said:

 

It depends, if you're talking as for the cold, weather conditions I can see how it's not....As for the team itself, for sure a top destiny a player would want joining a winning team 

In your opinion the Rams, Cowboys, and Bills all offer a player the same money, where is the player signing? You could probably list 10 other cities players would have discussions about.

 

Its just a reality the Bills have to deal with. That’s why it was even a story that players were contacting the Bills this year. Probably half the league gets calls from players, the Bills typically have to convince players to come here.

[DrDawkinstein]

9 minutes ago, Gugny said:

I can't tell you how many times someone at work has given me their notice and when I talk them into staying, they still end up leaving in less than a month.

 

Why?

 

Because the reason they gave their notice in the first place was because they didn't really want to be there.

 

This article concerns the hell out of me.  My biggest takeaway is that Beane and Co., had to talk Miller into signing.  He clearly admits that Buffalo was not his first choice and that he was having serious second thoughts.

 

I hope this ends well.

 

 

Having heard the stories about most of the folks who work for you, I expect Miller to be far more of a professional and a competitor when it's go time.

 

I'd also guess if you gave those people $40M/year, they'd probably still be working for you .

[Big Turk]

3 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

In your opinion the Rams, Cowboys, and Bills all offer a player the same money, where is the player signing? You could probably list 10 other cities players would have discussions about.

 

Its just a reality the Bills have to deal with. That’s why it was even a story that players were contacting the Bills this year. Probably half the league gets calls from players, the Bills typically have to convince players to come here.

 

Not so much anymore.

[Jauronimo]

12 minutes ago, Gugny said:

I can't tell you how many times someone at work has given me their notice and when I talk them into staying, they still end up leaving in less than a month.

 

Why?

 

Because the reason they gave their notice in the first place was because they didn't really want to be there.

 

This article concerns the hell out of me.  My biggest takeaway is that Beane and Co., had to talk Miller into signing.  He clearly admits that Buffalo was not his first choice and that he was having serious second thoughts.

 

I hope this ends well.

 

How many of those people walked away from multi-million dollar contracts?

[teef]

13 minutes ago, Gugny said:

I can't tell you how many times someone at work has given me their notice and when I talk them into staying, they still end up leaving in less than a month.

 

Why?

 

Because the reason they gave their notice in the first place was because they didn't really want to be there.

 

This article concerns the hell out of me.  My biggest takeaway is that Beane and Co., had to talk Miller into signing.  He clearly admits that Buffalo was not his first choice and that he was having serious second thoughts.

 

I hope this ends well.

 

you work with jackasses.