Former Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller is now lobbing to become an NFL GM, citing John Lynch as his model.
Former linebacker Von Miller is a Denver Broncos legend, and he’s been lobbying hard to return to the team as an add-on to the team’s formidable defense. The Broncos have shown no inclination to make this happen, but that’s not stopping Miller from trying, according to Luca Evans of the Denver Post.
Miller’s latest gambit is to open the door on a return to Denver in a non-playing role. According to Evans, Miller has been attending the NFL combine for several years now to get some info and intel on what’s involved in this process.
“If I don’t go back to Denver and play as a football player,” Miller said yesterday, “I would like to go back to Denver and be in the front office, or whatever, in some capacity.”
This isn’t a new development, Miller added. He understands that time is against him as a player, even though he was still productive with the Washington Commanders last year. He claims the development of this interest was gradual, and his timeline supports him.
It started back when he was interviewing with then-Broncos GM John Elway back in 2011, when Miller noticed that Pro Bowl safety and former Bronco John Lynch was also in the room. Lynch, of course, was hired by the San Francisco 49ers as GM despite having almost no experience, and Lynch has fared well in that role, to say the least.
“As I played throughout my career, and I started to think about things I wanted to do and how to stay attached to football without playing — those core memories just kinda chose me,” Miller said.
Miller started going to the combine again back in 2023, and he added that Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane “stoked that flame” during Miller’s second year with the Bills. Miller is now 37, and he’s speaking out about becoming a GM himself.
“I’m not a contract guy,” Miller said, when asked where he sees himself climbing the ladder in a front office. “I’m not going to sit in there and deal with contracts, and find numbers — I’m not a numbers guy. When it comes to scouting, I’m not going to sit there and watch film for 20 hours a day, either.
“I think my talent is just, people. Knowing people. The infrastructure of a team, knowing how to put together a schedule – just the daily grind of being a player in the National Football League. I know what it takes, and I know what it looks like to be a championship organization.”
What Miller doesn’t seem to realize, however, is that the grind is just as fierce in the front office, and the things he doesn't want to do are an integral part of the job. He’s sabotaging himself by seeking a top job right out of the gate, but the one thing Miller does know is based on the nine sacks he got with the Commanders.
“I know I can still play,” Miller said. “I know I at least got one more year in me. So I’m just waiting to see whatever the universe gives me.”