“I love those guys,” Buffalo Bills pass rusher Von Miller said. “I love everything about the Denver Broncos.”
The last time the Denver Broncos played in a playoff game, Von Miller took home Super Bowl MVP honors after totaling 2.5 sacks and forcing two fumbles in a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
Nine years later, the Broncos have now returned to the postseason and they are set to play against the Buffalo Bills — and Von Miller.
During his Wednesday press conference, Miller was honest in his assessment of playing against his former team, stressing that he has no animosity toward the Broncos.
“I’ve had two days to really think about it and it’s all love,” Miller said. “I can’t even start to play a delusion of it’s hatred or — I can’t even start to play that game. I would put myself so far in a place that is not even close to being reality that would be hurtful to the way I want to play. I love those guys. I love everything about the Denver Broncos. I pay close attention to the Denver Broncos.
“You know, I haven’t even talked to Bo Nix or followed him on Instagram or nothing like that, [but] I feel like I know Bo Nix just by staying in touch with Broncos Country and staying in touch with the Broncos. I know they’re building a new facility, they got new jerseys, all the new players. From [Marvin] Mims and all the guys — never met these guys — but I feel like I’ve met them because I keep — I pay so close attention to the Denver Broncos.
“[I’m] still close with Patrick Surtain, Courtland Sutton. Garett Bolles, we probably talk once or twice every single month. Last month, never even had the idea that we would be in a playoff game playing each other, like playing against each other. But me and Garett Bolles, we talk like — when I’m on the phone with Garett Bolles — it doesn’t feel like he’s on the Denver Broncos, I’m on the Buffalo Bills. It just feels like we’re in a locker room on whatever team it is and we just catching up with each other. It’s all love and respect.
“When I watch those Broncos games, yes some players that I don’t know, but the infrastructure of the team and the people like Patrick Smyth and ‘Flip’ and all the guys that have been there, that’s still the same. It still looks so familiar when I watch these games. So, can’t even start to play that, ‘It’s the Denver Broncos, I want to win.’ It’s nothing but love.”
Miller, 35, did admit that he will flip a switch once on the field, but he’s not pretending to hate his old team to get hyped up for the playoff game.
“Those small three- to four-second bursts when I’m playing in the game, that 60 minutes when I’m out there, I want to win,” Miller said. “I want to win the game. I want to beat the Denver Broncos, it’s all love at the end of the day, but those small three- to four-second bursts, I’ve got to go through these guys to get where I want to go.
“It’s kind of weird, but that’s just how crazy the NFL is and the universe is. So instead of trying to fight it, I just embrace it. It’s a cool event, to be able to play against this new and improved Denver Broncos. The last time they made the playoffs was, last time we won a Super Bowl. So it’s a full-circle moment and it’s nothing but love and respect for the Denver Broncos and Broncos Country for sure.”
Miller played in Denver from 2011-2021 before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams, where he won a second Super Bowl. Miller is now attempting to win a third Super Bowl with his third team, and the Broncos stand in his way. Miller will look to knock Denver out of the postseason on Sunday, but he has made it abundantly clear that he still has love for the Broncos and their fans.
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