The Buffalo Bills have been knocking at the door of the Super Bowl throughout this decade, but they haven’t been able to officially open the door. From the 2020 season and on, they have been consistent contenders and have reached the AFC title game twice. However, they still have yet to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl with Josh Allen under center.
Entering the 2026 season, there was a lot of uncertainty because of the changes to the coaching staff, as well as the roster. However, the Bills have started off at 5-1 and with their bye week now behind them, they can focus on the Baltimore Ravens.
Each season in this decade has had a lot of promise, but there was no season compared to the 2022 season where it truly felt like it was Buffalo's time. The Bills were coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the infamous 13-seconds game, and one thing was clear; the Bills had everything they needed except a closer off the edge.
They needed someone who could provide that pass rush that could close out the game in crucial moments. During free agency, Brandon Beane made a gigantic splash by landing edge rusher Von Miller, who had just won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams.
Von Miller was brought in to be the closer for Bills
The Bills and Miller agreed to a massive six-year deal that had people wondering if this was a smart move by the Bills, especially since the deal was worth $120 million. Then again, it was hard to argue the fact that the Bills were going all in with the acquisition of Miller. Buffalo finally had their closer...until they didn't.
Justin Fried of FanSided.com listed Miller as Buffalo's worst free agency signing in franchise history, and it's very hard to argue against it considering that the Bills took a massive swing with a championship window wide open.
"The investment looked worthwhile for 11 games, as Miller recorded eight sacks before tearing his ACL on Thanksgiving, and he was never the same player in Buffalo. He went sackless in 12 appearances in 2023 and managed six sacks in a reduced role the following season." Fried wrote.
"Buffalo released Miller in March 2025 after getting just 14 sacks in 36 games from its blockbuster acquisition. The Bills paid a premium for a proven championship difference-maker and never even reached the Super Bowl during his tenure." Fried added.
Bills swung and missed big time with Von Miller signing
The first eight games of Miller's tenure with the Bills was great, and he was doing his job to close out games. Then once he tore his ACL on Thanksgiving in 2022, he was never the same player he once was.
He missed the first four games of the 2023 season, and finished with just 3 recorded total tackles with no sacks despite playing in 12 games. Then in 2024, he managed to record 6 sacks and 17 total tackles, but still never brought the edge that he did early on in his Bills tenure.
Buffalo ended up releasing Miller in 2025 and they pivoted to bringing in Joey Bosa to replace him. Bosa started off strong, but finished his 2025 season with the Bills on a low-note.
The big free agency splash of Miller was a big swing by Beane, and you can't blame him for it. Buffalo's championship window was open more than it ever was, and with Miller's ACL injury, it completely hurt the Bills overall in production and on the financial side of things, too.
Add us as a preferred source on Google