The Denver Broncos traded away Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams before the NFL trade deadline, and they’ve played well without him.
Leading up to the team’s matchup at home against the Washington Football Team, it sure felt like the Denver Broncos were preparing to move on from star pass rusher Von Miller.
Prior to that game against Washington, Miller had made a declaration that he was going to play, but as the week progressed, Miller’s ankle did not. It felt from the outside looking in like the Broncos were being extremely cautious with Miller because of the potential that he could be traded to a “contender”.
Many disagreed with that theory at the time, but when Miller was inactive against Washington, it seemed like it was only a matter of time.
Denver Broncos depth getting more chances without Von Miller
General manager George Paton made the tough decision to trade Miller to the Los Angeles Rams, a powerhouse in the NFC that was firing on all cylinders at the time of the trade.
The Broncos had a huge matchup looming against the Dallas Cowboys after their win against Washington, and it would be their first without Miller on the roster, but their second game without him in the 2021 season.
Since Miller’s ankle injury and the trade to Los Angeles, players like Stephen Weatherly and Jonathon Cooper have received increased reps, and both players have done very well.
Not only have those individual players done well, but the Denver Broncos as a team have been very good without Miller in the lineup.
Now, please do not mistake what I’m saying as the Broncos are playing well because they no longer have Von Miller. That’s not what I’m saying at all. Miller is an outstanding player and one of the most legendary Broncos of all time.
With that being said, the Broncos are playing quite well without him as a team, and the Rams have been bad since acquiring him.
Bradley Chubb said the Broncos trading Von Miller to the Rams "was like a kick in the butt."
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) November 29, 2021
Said it gave the team a new sense of urgency — and the defense has improved as a result.
With Von: 17.1 PPG allowed, 2.1 sacks per game
Without Von: 15.5 PPG allowed, 3 sacks per game
After going 7-1 through Halloween, the Rams have now lost three straight games and have had a bye week since Miller was acquired.
They’re not just losing games, either. They’re out there getting absolutely smoked.
The Denver Broncos certainly would have preferred to be in a better spot at the time of the NFL trade deadline, but it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for them, to be sure. If trading Miller propels this team into the postseason and brings back multiple day two NFL Draft selections?
That’s a win-win.
The possibility still exists that Miller could return to the Broncos in the 2022 offseason as well, so with all things considered, this move has worked out just swell for the Broncos over the last month.
The team is 3-1 without Miller in the lineup this season, including one game where he was hurt and three since he’s been traded.
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Again, don’t mistake this as the Broncos are better because they don’t have Miller. They are, however, thriving without him.