Some Cowboys fans viewed the team's mid-August signing of Von Miller as the missing puzzle piece that would finally turn around the struggling defense for the 2026 season.
So far, that piece seems to fallen off the table and lies hidden in the carpet.
The eight-time Pro Bowler hasn't played more than 21 snaps in any of the Cowboys' contests since joining the team. In last Thursday's loss to Tampa Bay, he played just 10... and only one in the entire second half.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who signed the 37-year-old Miller to a deal worth $5.5 million prior to the start of the season, said this week he'd like to see more of that investment on the field.
"I think that's [among] the things that you start looking at when you're not having the success
you want to have," Jones told 105.3 The Fan during a phone-in Tuesday morning. "[Have] you got the right people out there with the right amount of play time? And he's a prime one to look at because he's got such an outstanding record in his career, and we do need pressure."
Jones went on to suggest that with all the changes taking place on the defensive side of the ball and within the defensive coaching staff during this mini-bye week, upping Miller's snap count might be on the menu.
"Yeah, you can look at that and incorporate that in what you're changing. Obviously, within certain things- scheme- or within the personnel we've got or, certainly, personnel that we've got that aren't available that will be available... this is how you correct where we are right not with our defense, with our team."
Miller himself expressed a desire for more action after being relegated to what head coach Brian Schottenheimer called a "situational pass rusher" in the 24-16 loss in Week 5.
“I want to play some more, but that’s what it ended up being,” Miller said of the low snap count. “Whatever opportunities I get, I got to shoot my shot while I’m out there. If it’s 10, it’s 10. I would love to play more. But I just want to win the game. I’m going to take advantage of any opportunity that I get. “
Not everyone is convinced he's still capable of that. In 72 total defensive snaps on the season, Miller has recorded just two tackles. That's one more than tight end Luke Schoonmaker. As far as his defensive snaps, Miller is on the field with the same frequency as cornerback Ameer Speed, a little less than Reddy Steward and rookie LT Overton, and about half as much as Markquese Bell.
Some have pointed out that Miller simply hasn't made an impact with the snaps he's gotten, so why give him more of the workload? Others wonder if more volume might actually help the future Hall of Famer, who tallied nine sacks last season with Washington, get his motor turning more effectively.
Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence need to see the field in order to develop their game further. And by most accounts, veteran James Houston definitely deserves more reps than he's getting (10 total defensive snaps in 2026), so an easy solution for what to do with Miller is not immediately obvious. Former Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus said this week he'd be fine with simply waiving Miller at this point.
Upon joining the Cowboys, the Texas native acknowledged he was being brought in largely to be a locker-room presence and mentor younger players. But he also claimed he could "roll out of bed and get eight sacks," a total that seems impossible based on his first five weeks wearing the star.
“I’m not going to create a problem,” Miller said. “I want to be part of the solution. So for whatever they feel it should be is what it should be and I’m going to take advantage of my opportunity.”
How much opportunity Miller gets- or doesn't get- moving forward after a week of defensive soul-searching could be a key factor in helping the Cowboys piece together that 2026 picture.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Jerry Jones suggests Von Miller get more snaps to fix lack of impact on Cowboys D
