Von Miller expected to return to Bills soon
Great news for the Buffalo Bills: Adam Schefter reports that defensive end Von Miller will return to practice this week. Miller tore his ACL on Thanksgiving last year. At the time, there was initial optimism that he could return to the field that season, but it was later discovered that his ACL was torn and needed surgical repair.
Buffalo, going into Week 3, is already second in yards allowed per game at 253.0, but faces its first substantial test in the Miami Dolphins, who dropped 70 points on the Denver Broncos last week. The Bills have bounced back after a troubling Week 1 loss and improved to 2-1 with wins over the Raiders and Commanders.
Miller adds a layer of dynamism and power to pass rush that could use more aggression. Buffalo allowed 2.7 seconds of pocket time for Zach Wilson in Week 1, 2.6 seconds for Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 2, and 2.9 seconds for Sam Howell in Week 3.
2.7 is the season-long high for quarterbacks according to Fantasy Pros, so Buffalo is a bit behind the 8-ball here.
Miller's loss was tough for Buffalo last year, who had signed him as their top free agent and a big playoff weapon. Buffalo not having him for the postseason was a big pill to swallow. Getting him back, assuming he can return to form, will be massive.
Kirk Cousins still not on the trade block
So, what's it going to take for the Minnesota Vikings to trade Kirk Cousins? Evidently, it might take a lot. Like, perhaps something like a trade request. Earlier this week, Justin Jefferson made it clear that the team was tired of the trade talk.
Now, Dianna Russini of The Athletic is also reporting that the Vikings still have, "no plans," to move Kirk Cousins (subscription required). Minnesota are 0-3 so far this year but have yet to lose by more than a touchdown.
Russini also reports the Jets have not even inquired about the possibility of trading for Cousins with the Jets. Notably, Cousins has a no-trade clause, which could make a trade between the two parties moot anyway.
Other teams that could be interested in Cousins, were he to become available would be the Falcons or Broncos, if they wind up going all-out on the Russell Wilson experience (though the guaranteed money they've offered him could make that a non-starter, anyway). It's smart for Minnesota to wait and see how things go for both themselves and the broader landscape. They have several weeks before the trade deadline, and injuries or other developments could increase the market.
Cousins will have no shortage of suitors come the trade deadline if the Vikings decide to pivot here at some point.
Broncos already eyeing a Russell Wilson replacement?
Some are considering the contest between the Broncos and Bears, both 0-3 coming into the game, the "Caleb Williams Bowl."
After all, two of the three worst point differential teams in the NFL after Week 3 are in this game. Somehow, someone has to win. And ultimately, maybe the real winner is whoever loses and gets closer to the top overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Williams, the USC quarterback, is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, should he forego his final year of college eligibility. Williams spent a year at Oklahoma and then transferred to play for the Trojans.
Broncos General Manager George Paton is already doing his due diligence on the quarterback, in attendance in Boulder, Colorado on Saturday to watch Williams and the Trojans take on the Colorado Buffaloes.
Ultimately, for now, this is just due diligence. General managers head out to local and nearby schools all the time to check in on talent, and Boulder isn't too far from Denver. But you have to think that the Broncos are at least doing contingency planning on their future, and if Russell Wilson and the Broncos continue to struggle, they may want to think about plans to replace him.
Paton has to like what he saw, though. Williams threw for six touchdowns and 403 yards, both season highs.
Wilson's contract doesn't make him a free agent until 2029 and includes fully guaranteed money, so the logistics of actually replacing him are much more difficult to figure out than the idea itself of replacing him.
