ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — It’s Von Miller time in Buffalo.

The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and coming off his second Super Bowl title agreed to a six-year contract with the Bills on Wednesday. Miller is an 11-year NFL veteran who spent his first 10-plus seasons in Denver before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams last season and winning the NFL championship.

At 32, Miller brings a veteran presence to a young group of starting linebackers made up of Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano. With Buffalo playing a hybrid style defense, there’s a chance for Miller to provide an outside pass-rushing presence. He has 115 1/2 career sacks.

Though listed as a linebacker throughout his career, Miller was referred to as a defensive end by Buffalo.

The Bills also announced reaching a one-year agreement to sign tight O.J. Howard, who spent his first five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The splashy additions came on the opening day of free agency, and were made by the two-time defending AFC East champions who had very little room to maneuver under the salary cap. The Bills opened the day by restructuring the contract of safety Micah Hyde to free up about $4.5 million in salary cap space.

Miller joins a defense that allowed the fewest yards in the NFL last season, but unraveled in a 42-36 overtime loss to Kansas City in an AFC divisional playoff game. With 13 seconds remaining, Buffalo allowed the Chiefs to gain 31 yards on two plays to set up Harrison Butker’s 49-yard field goal as time expired.

Kansas City then opened overtime by marching 75 yards on eight plays to win the game on Travis Kelce’s 8-yard touchdown catch.

Miller had four sacks in four playoffs games with Los Angeles, including two in the Rams’ 23-20 Super Bowl win over Cincinnati.

The rebuilding Broncos traded Miller to Los Angeles on Nov. 2 while he had been nursing an ankle injury. He forced a fumble and had five sacks in eight starts with Los Angeles.

Miller joins a new-look Bills defense that added bulk up front by agreeing to sign defensive tackles JaQuan Jones and Tim Settle in free agency. The two replace the loss of Harrison Phillips.

Miller’s addition also makes it uncertain whether the Bills will re-sign pass rusher Jerry Hughes, who completed the final year of his contract after spending the past nine seasons in Buffalo.

Buffalo also wound up with additional space under the cap when free-agent running J.D. McKissic reversed his decision to sign with the Bills to instead remain in Washington.

Howard adds a pass-catching presence to an offense that stands to lose receivers Emmanuel Sanders, who is contemplating retirement, and Cole Beasley, who has been granted permission to negotiate a trade.

Howard had 14 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown last season while overshadowed mostly by Rob Gronkowski’s presence. A former first-round draft pick out of Alabama, Howard’s best season came in 2018, when he 34 catches for 565 yards and five TDs.

He has the potential of lining up opposite Dawson Knox, who is coming off a career year with 49 catches, 587 yards and nine touchdowns.

PATRIOTS: The Patriots took a step in rebuilding their secondary following the departure of cornerback J.C. Jackson, signing former Texans defensive back Terrance Mitchell.

Mitchell is the first free agent New England has added this offseason that wasn’t on the roster in 2021. ESPN reported the deal is for one year and worth $3 million.

He spent last season with the Texans, appearing in 14 games (13 starts) and compiling 59 tackles, one interception and three forced fumbles.

BROWNS: Deshaun Watson hasn’t made up his mind, forcing the Browns to play a waiting game they might lose.

One day after making its recruiting pitch to Watson, Cleveland still hadn’t heard from the controversial Houston quarterback, who is considering at least three other teams before agreeing to a trade.

As of late Wednesday night, Watson remained with the Texans and jammed with legal issues. Houston has received trade proposals from the Browns, Panthers, Saints and Falcons, all of whom are willing to part with three first-round draft picks – and maybe more – to land the three-time Pro Bowler.

Watson was reportedly “torn” after being seeing presentations by the four teams and there was no timetable for his decision, one that will alter his future and that of whichever franchise he chooses.

It’s likely ended Baker Mayfield’s run in Cleveland already.

The NFL’s free-agency signing period began, and the Browns made their acquisition of No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper official. However, it’s still not certain who will throw him passes.

Cooper’s arrival via trade from Dallas – agreed to last weekend – was completed along with several other signings by Cleveland.

Cooper fills a major hole for the Browns, who lacked a deep threat last season following Odell Beckham Jr.’s dramatic release. The team sent a fifth-round pick (No. 155) and swapped sixth-rounders (Nos. 193 and 202) with the Cowboys for Cooper, a four-time Pro Bowler and precise route-runner.

Shortly after the new league year opened, the Browns formally announced several moves over a busy few days for a team trying to forget an 8-9 record in 2021.
Cleveland added linebacker Chase Winovich in a trade from New England and agreed to terms with linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., defensive tackle Taven Bryan, returner/wide receiver Jakeem Grant and offensive lineman Chris Hubbard.

The Browns also plan to release tight end Austin Hooper, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. Hooper hasn’t lived up to the four-year, $42 million contract he signed as a free agent two years ago with Cleveland.

OVERTIME: Proposals to change the rules for overtime have been submitted by three NFL teams, with Tennessee seeking to include 2-point conversions as part of the process of deciding the winner, the league announced.

The Titans have recommended that both teams possess the ball in overtime unless the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. That would end the game.

Indianapolis and Philadelphia have proposed that both teams must have an opportunity to possess the ball in overtime.

Under current rules, the 10-minute overtime in the regular season ends if the team getting the first possession scores a touchdown, even though the team kicking off never has the ball. Should the side receiving the kickoff make a field goal, the team that first played defense gets a possession in which it can score a touchdown and win, or kick a field goal and play would continue – if time allows.

In the postseason, the rules are the same, except that overtimes continue until someone has more points.

TITANS: A person familiar with the move says the Tennessee Titans will be releasing seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones in a move to clear salary cap space.

Jones will be designated as a post-June 1 release with the Titans carrying the cap hit until June 1.

COMMANDERS: After agreeing Tuesday to sign a $7 million, two-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, running back J.D. McKissic reversed course and decided to return to the Commanders under the same terms, according to a person with knowledge of the move.

The Commanders announced the releases of starting left guard Ereck Flowers, defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis and safety Deshazor Everett, which saves $19 million against the salary cap in 2022. Landon Collins’ name was initially on that list and quickly removed, with the expectation the veteran safety will be released after June 1 to clear another $11.9 million.

McKissic was thought to be Buffalo-bound on a contract that could be worth up to $8 million. But the pass-catching back who was a favorite of Coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner is instead returning to Washington for a third season.

JETS: The New York Jets and quarterback Joe Flacco agreed on a one-year contract, keeping Zach Wilson’s veteran backup in place.

A person familiar with the deal also says the Jets tendered backup quarterback Mike White, a restricted free agent, at his original-round level – fifth – of $2.54 million.

The person also said New York agreed to terms on a deal with former Minnesota tight end Tyler Conklin and one-year deals to re-sign defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd and offensive lineman Dan Feeney.

SEAHAWKS: The Seattle Seahawks made their first two deals outside of their own free agents, agreeing to terms on contracts with defensive end Uchenna Nwosu and cornerback Artie Burns.

Nwosu started 15 games last season for the Los Angeles Chargers and should immediately provide an additional pass rush source as the Seahawks change their defensive scheme. Nwosu had a career-high five sacks with the Chargers and played 67% of the defensive snaps.

Burns is likely a depth addition for the secondary but played last season under Seattle’s new associate head coach Sean Desai in Chicago. .

BEARS: The Chicago Bears added a disruptive force, signing Cincinnati Bengals stalwart defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi to a three-year contract.

The Bears also finalized a two-year deal with Green Bay offensive lineman Lucas Patrick and a one-year contract with Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow.

Chicago also signed long snapper Patrick Scales to a one-year extension and offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons to a one-year contract.

RAIDERS: The Las Vegas Raiders overhauled their defensive line at the start of the free agency period by agreeing to a three-year deal with former Arizona edge rusher Chandler Jones and trading away Yannick Ngakoue to Indianapolis.

The Raiders also cut defensive end Carl Nassib in a salary cap move and agreed to a two-year deal with interior lineman Bilal Nichols as new coach Josh McDaniels and coordinator Patrick Graham put their imprint on the defense. cap and leaves a $5 million dead money charge.

JAGUARS: The Jacksonville Jaguars wasted little time spending the money they saved by cutting veteran linebacker Myles Jack.

The Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract that includes $18 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

BUCCANEERS: Cornerback Carlton Davis signed a three-year, $45 million contract to remain with the NFC South champions. .

He became the second key player to re-sign with the Bucs since Tom Brady ended his 40-day retirement, joining Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen, who received a three-year, $39 million deal.

CHIEFS: The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to a $2 million contract with quarterback Chad Henne, keeping their longtime backup to Patrick Mahomes in the fold for next season.

CARDINALS: The Arizona Cardinals signed cornerback Jeff Gladney to a two-year contract and also brought back tight end Maxx Williams on a one-year deal.

The 25-year-old Gladney was found not guilty of a felony assault charge last week, according to online records from Dallas County, Texas. The cornerback was arrested last April after allegedly assaulting a woman and released by the Minnesota Vikings in August after he was indicted by a grand jury. He did not play during the 2021 season.

STEELERS: The Pittsburgh Steelers’ new-look offensive line won’t include right tackle Zach Banner.

The team cut the charismatic Banner, a move that will save them $5 million against the salary cap and ends Banner’s comeback bid from a torn ACL that cost him two seasons and eventually his starting job.

FALCONS: Left tackle Jake Matthews, a durable mainstay on the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive line for eight seasons, signed a three-year, $55 million extension that will carry through the 2026 season.

49ERS: The San Francisco 49ers have agreed on a one-year contract with defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway.

A person familiar with the deal said it is worth $2.5 million with $1 million guaranteed.

The 27-year-old Ridgeway provides the Niners with another option on the interior defensive line after losing D.J. Jones to Denver in free agency.

Ridgeway has played 65 games over six seasons with Indianapolis and Philadelphia after being drafted in the fourth round out of Texas by the Colts in 2016.

SAINTS: The Saints and former New York Jets safety Marcus Maye agreed on a three-year, free-agent contract, addressing a void created when Marcus Williams chose to leave New Orleans for Baltimore.

VIKINGS: The Minnesota Vikings began to pick away at their offseason to-do list as free agency formally opened, re-signing punter Jordan Berry and agreeing to contract terms with defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, tight end Johnny Mundt and interior offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann.

DOLPHINS: Raheem Mostert agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, who continued to add depth to their running back corps.

Mostert had just two carries with San Francisco this past season, leaving the 49ers’ opener with chipped cartilage in a knee and missing the remainder of the season. Mostert played only eight games in 2020 because of ankle and knee injuries.

RAMS: The Los Angeles Rams have released punter Johnny Hekker after 10 seasons.

The Super Bowl champion Rams dropped their longest-tenured player in a move that creates just over $2 million in salary cap room.

Hekker has spent his entire career with the Rams since signing in St. Louis as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State in 2012. He became a four-time All-Pro selection and arguably the NFL’s top punter during the 2010s, but his average declined to a career-low 44.2 yards per punt last season.

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