Raiders Unlikely to Sign Von Miller Despite Viral Prank

The veteran linebacker says he'd only join the AFC West rival Broncos, not the Raiders.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:36am

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Von Miller recently posted an April Fool's prank on Instagram claiming he had signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, sparking speculation about a potential move. However, the 37-year-old linebacker has since clarified that he would only join the Denver Broncos if he were to play in the AFC West again, ruling out a Raiders signing.

Why it matters

The Raiders have been active in free agency, but adding a veteran defensive leader like Miller could have provided a significant boost to their relatively young defense. While the prank generated buzz, Miller's comments make it clear he has no intention of joining the Raiders' division rival.

The details

Miller, who spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Broncos, said that 'if I'm going to the AFC West, it's got to be the Denver Broncos.' He believes joining the Raiders would negatively impact his legacy with the Broncos fanbase. The Raiders have already made moves to bolster their defense, re-signing Malcolm Koonce and signing Kwity Paye, but they could still use help at defensive tackle.

  • On April 1, 2026, Von Miller posted an Instagram prank claiming he had signed with the Raiders.
  • Shortly after, Miller clarified that he would only join the Broncos if he were to play in the AFC West again.

The players

Von Miller

A 37-year-old linebacker who spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Denver Broncos, where he established himself as one of the league's premier pass rushers.

Tom Brady

The legendary quarterback who commented on Miller's Instagram prank, playing along with the joke.

Maxx Crosby

The Raiders' star defensive end who also commented on Miller's prank, hinting at the possibility of the veteran joining the team.

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What they’re saying

“'...If I'm going 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, Linebacker

What’s next

The Raiders will likely continue to explore options to bolster their defensive line, potentially targeting a veteran free agent like DJ Reader to pair with their younger players.

The takeaway

While the April Fool's prank generated excitement, Von Miller's comments make it clear that he has no intention of joining the Raiders, as he is only interested in returning to the Broncos if he were to play in the AFC West again. The Raiders will need to look elsewhere to find a veteran defensive leader to complement their young core.