The pass rush has been, and will likely remain, a hot topic among Chicago Bears fans until the team does something to address it. Leaning on minor interior additions like Neville Gallimore and Jordan Van Den Berg, while hoping Dayo Odeyingbo returns healthy from an Achilles injury, feels like a poorly calculated gamble. There is no way the team brass can be that naive, right? It is why hopes remain high that they’ll eventually add a veteran of some kind to the mix before the season begins. One who is suddenly getting some steam is Von Miller.
Former player Brian Baldinger, who works for NFL Network, recently stated that the Bears should make a run at future Hall of Fame edge rusher Von Miller. Though 37 years old, he demonstrated he can still be an impact player, recording 9 sacks in 2025. It appears Baldinger isn’t the only one thinking that. Former player Matt Bowen picked up the idea in his recent ESPN column, feeling Miller offers exactly what the Bears need. They don’t need a savior. Just someone to hunt the quarterback on obvious passing downs.
“Von Miller, Edge
Best team fit: Chicago Bears
The Bears are awaiting the return of edge rushers Dayo Odeyingbo (Achilles) and Shemar Turner (torn ACL), and the team didn’t take an edge rusher in the draft. That could open the door for Miller as a sub-package defender for Chicago.
At this stage of his career, Miller is best used as a true designated pass rusher. He had a team-high nine sacks for the Commanders last season.”
Von Miller wouldn’t be the first old pass rusher who helped the Bears.
Let’s not forget that Chicago already has good information on him. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen worked with him way back in 2011. He knows what type of player and person Miller is. Besides, it’s not like the Bears have a history of terrible luck with moves like this. In fact, betting on older pass rushers has benefited them more than you’d think. It started with Alan Page in 1978. Most thought the 33-year-old was washed up in Minnesota. He came to Chicago and had three outstanding seasons. Clyde Simmons, a former two-time All-Pro for Philadelphia, was a journeyman by age 35. That didn’t stop him from giving the Bears seven sacks in 1999. And let’s not forget the wild ride that was Robert Quinn.
| Player | Age/Signed | Years with Bears | Total Sacks with Bears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Page | 33 (1978) | 1978–1981 | 40.0 |
| Clyde Simmons | 35 (1999) | 1999 | 7.0 |
| Robert Quinn | 30 (2020) | 2020–2022 | 20.5 |
There is nothing wrong with the rental market in the NFL, provided you spend money in the right places. Usually, it should be on guys who have done it for a long time. Von Miller fits that description. He may not be the unstoppable force he was a decade ago, but he has enough gas in the tank to still beat most of the tackles in this league.
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Would Miller be interested?
At this stage of his career, the Canton-bound edge rusher is hunting for one last shot at a Super Bowl. He’d hoped he would get it with Washington last season. After all, they’d gone to the NFC championship the year before. Unfortunately, injuries and age wrecked their hopes. If he signs anywhere, it will be with a team he feels has a shot to go the distance. The Bears went 11-6 last season and won a playoff game. They have a dynamite offensive head coach and an emerging young quarterback.
Most importantly, they have a vacancy at edge rusher. Remember, they lost Dominique Robinson to free agency and technically never brought anybody in to fill that spot. He logged 135 pass rush snaps last season. The plan for Von Miller would be far easier. Have him and Austin Booker rush from the edge while Odeyingbo moves inside on passing downs. It was always the plan last season, but injuries got in the way. All the Bears have to do is free up enough cap space to make it happen.
