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Von Miller signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys over the weekend, returning to his home state of Texas for his 16th NFL season. The signing alone generated plenty of attention, but it was a three-emoji comment from Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby under Miller’s announcement that sent Cowboys fans into another round of speculation about whether Dallas is not done building its defensive front. The Cowboys have been linked to Crosby since March, and Jerry Jones has not closed the door on a bigger move even after landing Miller. Whether Crosby’s reaction means anything beyond congratulating an old friend is unclear, but the timing has kept the conversation alive heading into the final stretch of the preseason. Maxx Crosby reacts to Von Miller’s Cowboys move Miller announced his Cowboys signing on Instagram with a photo in a Cowboys uniform, writing “Hereee Weee Gooo @dallascowboys LFG!!!” The Cowboys confirmed the deal shortly after, bringing Miller back to the Dallas suburb of DeSoto, Texas, where he grew up. The reaction from around the league was quick. New Cowboys teammates Quinnen Williams and Donovan Ezeiruaku both commented on Miller’s post, with Williams writing “I get to work with the GOAT.” Maxx Crosby responded with three goat emojis (🐐🐐🐐) in the comments which drew the most attention given the backdrop of months of trade speculation connecting him to Dallas. On the Nightcap podcast, Miller had explained that the Cowboys were the first team to contact him, roughly a week before training camp began. “It just seemed right to me,” he said. “I live here in the offseason, my mom and dad are here, my kids are here. I’ve always had blue in my heart since I was a little boy.” Miller also reunites with former Broncos assistant Christian Parker, who the Cowboys hired as their defensive coordinator this offseason, and shared the news with former Denver teammate and Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware. While the veteran pass rusher’s arrival has generated plenty of buzz off the field, his recent production on the field also helps explain why the Cowboys saw value in bringing him aboard for another NFL season. What Von Miller brings to a Cowboys defense that needed help Before joining the Dallas Cowboys, Von Miller spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders after being released by the Buffalo Bills. Washington signed Miller to a one-year deal worth $6.1 million, with incentives that could have increased the value to $10.5 million. Miller responded with one of his most productive seasons since 2021. The veteran pass rusher played all 17 games for Washington and recorded nine sacks and 26 tackles, leading the team in sacks despite playing around 34 to 37 percent of defensive snaps. That production gives the Cowboys a reason to expect an immediate impact from Miller. Dallas struggled to generate consistent pressure in 2025 and finished tied for 22nd in the NFL in sacks. Miller may no longer be the every-down player he was earlier in his career, but his ability to create pressure in a limited role gives the Cowboys a proven option on their defensive front. For Dallas, Miller can provide more than pass-rushing numbers. His veteran experience, playoff background and familiarity with offensive protection schemes could also help younger defensive players around him develop. If the Cowboys manage his workload effectively, he could give their defensive front a reliable rotational presence while adding an experienced voice to the locker room.