“This is what I want to do,” Miller recently told 9NEWS’ Mike Klis. “I wanted to do this one time before in college when I took my poultry science class, and I sat in that class and said, ‘If I don’t make it in the NFL and it doesn’t work out, this is what I want to do.'”
While Miller recognizes that he is underqualified, he explains that he knows what it takes to build a successful team, having played for organizations with winning cultures.
“I don’t have any experience,” said Miller. “I know what a great football team looks like. I know what a winning football team looks like. A great staff, great equipment guys, great athletic trainers. I know what that looks like; I know what it takes to build those teams, but that’s it.”
During his one-on-one with Klis, Miller credited former Broncos GM John Elway, who drafted him, for inspiring him to become a GM. Miller also recalled seeing now-49ers GM John Lynch shadow Elway at the combine in 2011 and considers him as another one of his role models.
So far, Miller has faced obstacles in obtaining information from rival executives. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, teams are concerned about tampering violations if they meet with Miller since he’s still an active player. One GM has already refused to speak with him, Florio reports.
Miller appears to be limited to following Beane and other Bills personnel for the remainder of the week, but it’ll still be an invaluable opportunity.
With his football knowledge and winning mindset, Miller could thrive in a GM position, provided he can master the business aspect. Even so, he has a long way to go before he takes the next steps to become a GM.
Despite tearing his ACL in Buffalo’s Thanksgiving Day win against Detroit, Miller has plenty of football left to play. In 11 games last season, the 33-year-old recorded eight sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 12 QB hits. Miller is under contract with the Bills through the 2027 season.
