Von Miller Pranks Broncos Fans with Raiders April Fools' Gag

Veteran linebacker's fake Instagram post about signing with Denver's AFC West rival sparks outrage among loyal fans.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:53pm

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NFL veteran linebacker Von Miller posted a photoshopped image on his Instagram account claiming he was signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, the longtime rivals of his former team the Denver Broncos. The post was revealed to be an April Fools' Day prank, as Miller has previously stated he would never join the Raiders due to his strong allegiance to the Broncos organization and fanbase.

Why it matters

Miller's fake announcement about joining the Raiders angered many Broncos fans, who have long viewed the Raiders as their team's biggest rival. As a beloved former Broncos star, Miller's perceived betrayal struck a nerve, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two AFC West franchises and the importance of player loyalty to fans.

The details

In his post, Miller tagged Raiders players Maxx Crosby and Tom Brady, adding the caption 'Sin City let's get crazy!' However, Miller had previously stated on his podcast that he would never sign with the Raiders, saying 'If I'm going to go to the AFC West, it's got to be the Denver Broncos. Me playing the Denver Broncos twice a year? I don't think it's nothing that I can do to really take away from my legacy that I've already done with the Denver Broncos, but that: Going to the Raiders... That's really the only thing that could make the Denver Broncos fanbase, Broncos Country, not love me no more.'

  • On April 1, 2026, Von Miller posted the fake announcement on his Instagram account.

The players

Von Miller

A veteran NFL linebacker who spent the majority of his career with the Denver Broncos before playing for the Washington Commanders last season. Miller is known for his loyalty to the Broncos organization and fanbase.

Maxx Crosby

A defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, one of the Broncos' biggest rivals in the AFC West division.

Tom Brady

A legendary NFL quarterback who recently signed with the Las Vegas Raiders after retiring from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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What they’re saying

“If I'm going to go to the AFC West, it's got to be the Denver Broncos. Like what? Me playing the Denver Broncos twice a year? I don't think it's nothing that I can do to really take away from my legacy that I've already done with the Denver Broncos, but that: Going to the Raiders... That's really the only thing that could make the Denver Broncos fanbase, Broncos Country, not love me no more.”

— Von Miller, NFL Linebacker

What’s next

It remains uncertain where Von Miller will sign for the upcoming NFL season, as he noted he would welcome a reunion with the Washington Commanders, the team he played for last year.

The takeaway

Von Miller's April Fools' prank about signing with the Raiders highlights the intense rivalry between the Broncos and Raiders, as well as the importance of player loyalty to passionate NFL fanbases. While the post was revealed to be a joke, it still managed to anger many Broncos fans who view the Raiders as their team's biggest enemy.