Dennis Allen Might Be Looking To Reunite With An Old Friend

The Chicago Bears have focused on the offensive side of the ball to start the off-season, which shouldn't surprise anybody. Ben Johnson took over as head coach with the express purpose of fixing the offense. To do that, he needs players. The trades for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney reflect this. However, don't expect them to ignore the defense. It needs help, too. Dennis Allen calls the shot there. No doubt GM Ryan Poles will acquiesce to any roster requests he may have. That includes potentially signing players he's worked with before.

Everybody keeps mentioning names like Khalil Mack and Chase Young. Allen worked with both Oakland and New Orleans, respectively. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes there is another name out there who could soon be available for the Bears defensive coordinator.

At 35, Von Miller is no longer an every-down pass-rusher. He tore his ACL at the end of his first year with the Buffalo Bills in 2022, and he played less than 34 percent of the defensive snaps in 2023 and 2024.

Last season, Miller recorded six sacks, 16 pressures and seven tackles for loss. He can be an effective designated pass-rusher, though Mark Gaughan of Buffalo News expects the Bills to release him.

However, a team with a ton of cap space like the Chicago Bears may be willing to acquire the 14-year veteran.

People will immediately look at Miller's age and think he's past his prime. That is true. He isn't the dominant force he was in the mid-2010s. That said, Miller still managed six sacks and 40 pressures last season only 249 pass rush snaps. You'd be wrong if you think he can't impact the quarterback anymore.

Dennis Allen knows what Miller can do.

The two worked together during the future Hall of Famer's rookie season in 2011. He had 11.5 sacks that season, tied for the sixth-most sacks by a first-year player ever. He is also a seasoned veteran with a long track record of winning. He's been to the playoffs seven times in his career, winning Super Bowls with the Broncos in 2015 and Rams in 2021. The Bears keep talking about raising the level of expectation in the building. Miller would certainly go about doing that.

What nobody knows is what the man himself wants. If Buffalo does release him to free cap space, the question becomes whether he is interested in still playing. He has his rings. He's made tons of money in his career. There wouldn't be much incentive to join the Bears unless he just wants to keep playing. It is certainly a possibility. Dennis Allen would at least get a proven commodity who provides depth for their pass rush for this season. That also wouldn't preclude them from investing a high pick at the position in the draft.