Buffalo Bills LB Von Miller Downplays 'Revenge Game' Storyline vs. Denver Broncos
Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller is still a legend for the Denver Broncos, and on Monday night, he'll face his former team for the first time as an opponent.
It's easy to label Monday's matchup as a "revenge game" for Miller, but he doesn't see it that way. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Miller made it abundantly clear that he holds no ill will towards his former team.
"It'll be different for sure. It's not like a revenge game or anything like that," Miller said, per 9News. "For me, I left on good terms, left and went to go win a Super Bowl. I had a great relationship with everybody in their facility, didn't have any bad blood with anybody in there.
Miller with the Bills earlier this season.
© Jamie Germano, Democrat and Chronicle
“For me, I didn’t want to leave. I cried real tears when I left. To see them again and see that organization winning and starting to do better is a treat for me. It would never be the other way around."
Yes, Miller spent over a decade in Denver and departed as a legend, but this Broncos team is very different from when he left. In the two years since Miller left, the Broncos have had plenty of roster turnover, the coaching staff has changed two times over and the team is even under new ownership now. Despite all those differences, the Broncos still hold a special place in Miller's heart.
“I haven’t played there in two years," Miller said. "I didn’t get to play for the owner (Greg Penner) that’s there now, the head coach (Payton) that’s there now, so a lot of change since I’ve been there. But one thing that will never change is my love for Broncos Country. They were with me through everything, from coming in as a rookie to getting injured twice."
Miller, 34, is still in the process of returning from a torn ACL he sustained on Thanksgiving, the second ACL tear of his career. The Super Bowl 50 MVP has no sacks in five games since returning, but believes he is getting better each week.
“Definitely want to play better this game. I felt better last game. But obviously some things I’m trying to work through. But I felt great last game," Miller said. "It was the first game where I really wasn’t thinking about my knee or this or that. It was just football. So definitely want to build on that and get going. It’s time. No need to sound the alarm but it’s getting close.’’
