In a league where pass rushers are paid like franchise quarterbacks and defensive disruption can define an entire season, one of the most decorated edge rushers of his era remains surprisingly unemployed. Von Miller — a two-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl 50 MVP, and owner of 138.5 career sacks — is still waiting for his next opportunity. And if the Dallas Cowboys are serious about chasing a championship in 2025, they may be the team that finally makes the call.

At first glance, the idea might seem unlikely. Miller is 36 years old, well past the age when most NFL edge rushers begin to decline. He’s no longer the dominant every-down force who terrorized quarterbacks with the Denver Broncos, nor the blockbuster trade piece that helped lift the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl title. But look deeper, and the fit between Miller and Dallas makes more sense than many realize.

The biggest reason? Production.

Despite his age and the perception that his best years are behind him, Miller still recorded nine sacks last season with the Buffalo Bills. That’s not the output of a washed-up veteran hanging on for one last paycheck. That’s the production of a situational game-changer — exactly the kind of player a contender can plug into a playoff push.

Dallas has long built its defense around pressuring quarterbacks. With Micah Parsons emerging as one of the league’s most explosive defenders, offensive coordinators are already forced to devote extra blockers to one side of the line. Imagine adding Miller on the opposite edge in obvious passing situations. It would create a nightmare scenario for opposing offenses: double-team Parsons and leave Miller one-on-one, or slide protection to Miller and give Parsons a free lane to the quarterback.

That kind of combination could instantly make the Cowboys’ defense one of the most feared units in football.

There’s also a practical side to the move. Dallas doesn’t necessarily need Miller to play 60 snaps a game. In fact, that would likely be a mistake. The best version of this signing would be strategic: a veteran specialist deployed in key moments. Third-and-long. Two-minute drills. January playoff football.

That’s where Miller still thrives.

His game has evolved. He may not possess the same jaw-dropping burst that made him a future Hall of Famer in his prime, but his instincts, hand technique, and ability to bend around tackles remain elite. Veteran pass rushers often survive on experience after athleticism fades, and Miller’s football IQ gives him a chance to remain impactful even in a reduced role.

For Dallas, that matters more than ever.

The Cowboys enter 2025 under enormous pressure. After years of regular-season success followed by postseason disappointment, patience is wearing thin in Arlington. Owner Jerry Jones has made it clear that the franchise expects to contend now. The window around quarterback Dak Prescott and a star-studded core isn’t open forever.

That urgency should push Dallas to explore every possible roster upgrade, especially one that may come at a discounted price.

Because that’s another intriguing part of the Miller situation: cost.

A player with his résumé would once have commanded a massive multiyear deal. But free agency in May tells a different story. The market has cooled. Teams are hesitant to invest heavily in aging veterans, no matter how accomplished. That creates an opening for a contender like Dallas to sign Miller on a short-term, incentive-heavy contract — the kind of low-risk move that could pay off in a huge way.

And make no mistake: Miller would bring more than sacks.

He would bring championship credibility.

The Cowboys have talent. No one questions that. But when the postseason arrives, experience often separates contenders from pretenders. Miller has been there. He has dominated on the biggest stage. He has lifted the Lombardi Trophy twice and won the game’s highest individual defensive honor. In a locker room desperate to break through, that voice carries weight.

Young defenders would benefit from his presence. Parsons, already elite, could sharpen even further under the guidance of one of the greatest pass rushers of the modern era. Dallas’ defensive line rotation would instantly gain a mentor who understands exactly what it takes to close games in January.

Of course, there are reasons teams have been cautious.

Age is real. Injuries are part of the equation. Miller missed significant time in recent seasons, and no team wants to invest in a player who may not hold up through a 17-game schedule. There’s also the question of whether his nine sacks last season were a final flash or evidence he still has another strong run left.

But for Dallas, that gamble may be worth taking.

The Cowboys don’t need vintage Von Miller. They don’t need the 18-sack monster who once wrecked Super Bowl 50 and dismantled Cam Newton on the sport’s biggest stage. They simply need a proven closer — someone who can create one game-changing play in January when everything is on the line.

That player might still be available.

And that’s why this situation feels unfinished.

A veteran with Miller’s résumé doesn’t stay unsigned forever if he can still rush the passer. Eventually, a contender will pick up the phone. Eventually, someone will realize that adding a future Hall of Famer for a playoff run is a risk worth taking.

The question is whether Dallas will act before someone else does.

The Cowboys have spent years searching for the final piece that can push them from contender to champion. Sometimes that piece isn’t a flashy blockbuster trade or a first-round rookie. Sometimes it’s a veteran star sitting in free agency, waiting for one last chance to chase greatness.

Von Miller is still out there.

Nine sacks say he can still change games. Two Super Bowl rings say he knows how to win them.

If Dallas truly believes 2025 is their year, the next move feels obvious.

Make the call.