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Alaina GetzenbergESPN
LAS VEGAS — Von Miller leaned to the side, looking poised to rush a quarterback. Next to him stood defensive end Greg Rousseau, the Buffalo Bills’ 2021 first-round pick, watching the future Hall of Fame linebacker’s movements, where Miller placed his feet and hands and listening to his new teammate explain his moves off the line.
Miller was demonstrating his skills on a high school turf field under the Las Vegas morning sun during his sixth pass-rush summit last week. The event featured the NFL’s top four active sack leaders — Miller (115.5 sacks), Chandler Jones (107.5), Cameron Jordan (107) and Justin Houston (102) — who shared tips with other defenders on how they’ve been successful.
Rousseau was one of three Bills pass-rushers there among 21 players, alongside teammates Boogie Basham (Round 2, 2021) and AJ Epenesa (Round 2, 2020). They took up Miller’s invitation to learn from the best ahead of a season of high expectations for them and the team.
“I’m an open book and I’m going to force some of my chapters on them,” Miller said of the Bills’ young pass-rushers. “I’m going to force some of the stuff I know on them. It’s just little things.”
Miller & Co. spent the day coaching their peers on how to handle various situations and offering details on how to approach the line of scrimmage before the snap. Several veterans went into detail on cut-ups of their own film as Rousseau, Basham and Epenesa sat at a table together taking notes.
“To have an opportunity to physically come out here and physically see it, get hands-on attention, I find to me, that was a big jump,” Basham told ESPN. “Definitely for me to take my game to the next level, but also learn from other guys around the league, too.”
The Bills want to improve at getting after opposing quarterbacks following consecutive playoff losses to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, so they invested big in Miller this offseason with a six-year, $120 million deal. But Miller won’t be able to do it all on his own and his impact on his teammates off the field could potentially be almost as important as his presence on it.
“Getting to know these guys, these guys getting to know me, on and off the football field, Vegas is the perfect place for that, we can hang out, chill,” Miller said. “… Being in the OTAs with all these guys, man, it’s building up that respect, earning their respect from them.
“I come out here, I work out, break my neck for these guys and you building their brotherhood now. So, when the season starts and it’s fourth-and-long and we need a play, everybody trusts each other.”
The Bills need more from Rousseau, Basham and Epenesa after spending high picks on them. The Bills finished the 2021 regular season with 42 sacks, tied for 11th and sixth in pass rush win rate (45.6%), but the team lacked a consistent dominant pass-rusher whom opponents needed to be aware of at all times. The young trio combined for eight of those sacks, with Rousseau leading the group with four.
“This is going to be a big offseason for those guys,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “They’re in a position where they have to, we need them to really, really grow and develop and make a mark on our defense — and not just in a supporting role, but in a primary role.”
Buffalo added to its defensive line in other ways this offseason, bringing back Shaq Lawson and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, in addition to signing tackles DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle. They opted not to re-sign veterans Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison, who played the first- and third-most defensive snaps among Bills defensive ends last season.
The Bills also picked up the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Ed Oliver (four sacks in 2021) in May, linking the 2019 first-round pick to the team for at least the next two seasons.
What are the Bills looking for from their young pass-rushers?
“Probably the consistency piece, where you kind of know what you’re going to get every day, that’s important,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. “They’re past that point when they were rookies, and it was kind of up and down, lulls here, break out here.”
While the summit was valuable for learning from a variety of players and coaches, Miller has been helping his teammates during offseason practices as well. Going into his third year, Epenesa noted how he told Miller during the team’s OTAs that he was working on his rush angle. During practice, Miller made a point of noting reps where Epenesa had a good angle.
When Epenesa was interviewing with the Bills prior to the draft in 2020, he told the Bills he modeled his game after Miller.
“People are gonna see him, and they’re gonna wanna protect against him because of his reputation, and that kind of opens the door for other people,” Epenesa said. “If they’re gonna focus on him, we have to be able to execute ourselves and make plays whenever it’s needed as well.”
During the 40-plus minutes Miller spent breaking down his film at the summit, he lauded the efforts of former teammate
With the summer transfer window set to officially open Friday, we’re teeing up the wheeling and dealing by presenting 50 high-profile players who could be on the move in the coming months. Stay tuned for our rundown of the best impending free agents next week.
Transfer window details
| Country | Window Open | Deadline Day |
|---|---|---|
| England | June 10 | Sept. 1 |
| Spain | July 1 | Sept. 1 |
| Germany | July 1 | Sept. 1 |
| Italy | July 1 | Aug. 31 |
| France | July 1 | Aug. 31 |
Note: Estimated transfer values provided by transfermarkt.com.
Premier League
Marc Cucurella (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Age: 23 | Position: Left-back | Estimated value: €20M
Cucurella played more league minutes (3,089) during his debut season at Brighton than any outfield player. Potential suitors, including Manchester City, clearly appreciated what they saw from the follically endowed Spaniard.
Armando Broja (Chelsea)
Age: 20 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €18M
Broja is another gem from Chelsea’s infamous “loan army.” He turned plenty of heads with an impressive 2021-22 campaign at Southampton, and the Blues now have a tough decision to make with numerous interested clubs circling.
Jorginho (Chelsea)
Age: 30 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €45M
Having fallen from the heights of being a Ballon d’Or finalist in 2021, Jorginho is entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge. The Italian international could be tempted by a move back to Serie A this summer.
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Age: 29 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €85M
Despite ending his first season back in west London as Chelsea’s top scorer in all competitions, Lukaku’s club-record €115-million return was a letdown. Now, a sensational loan move back to Inter Milan is being touted.
Richarlison (Everton)
Age: 25 | Position: Forward | Estimated value: €50M
After narrowly avoiding relegation, Everton could help fund a significant rebuild by selling their unique Brazilian attacker. Richarlison racked up a team-leading 10 Premier League goals for the Toffees this past season.
Raphinha (Leeds United)
Age: 25 | Position: Winger | Estimated value: €45M
Had Leeds fallen into the Championship, Raphinha’s departure would’ve been a foregone conclusion. Their top-flight survival makes the dynamic winger’s situation hazy, though. Can cash-poor Barcelona afford him?
Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United)
Age: 26 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €50M
England’s biggest clubs have had Phillips on their radar for quite some time. Manchester City and Liverpool, the nation’s two best teams, are monitoring the tactically astute midfielder. A possible Fernandinho replacement, perhaps?
Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Age: 25 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €55M
Tielemans has long been linked with a move to Arsenal. The silky Belgian midfielder is approaching the final year of his contract and seemingly unwilling to ink an extension, so this summer could be the Gunners’ best chance to strike.
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Age: 30 | Position: Forward | Estimated value: €80M
This is one of the marquee transfer storylines to watch in the coming weeks – and possibly months. Mane wants to leave Liverpool – he’s been suggesting as much publicly – and Bayern Munich are in negotiations over a big move.
Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)
Age: 25 | Position: Forward | Estimated value: €50M
Erling Haaland’s impending switch to Manchester City will have a huge cumulative effect on the market. The most obvious domino could be Jesus’ departure from the Premier League champions.
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Age: 27 | Position: Winger | Estimated value: €85M
Sterling is another player whose current contract expires in 2023. After garnering the fewest minutes of his Manchester City career since his debut season with the club, this may be the time for the English international to seek a move.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Age: 26 | Position: Forward | Estimated value: €16M
A loan spell at Sevilla didn’t quite provide the “new atmosphere” Martial was looking for after sealing his desired move away from Manchester United. He’ll now return to Old Trafford, but he’s a prime candidate for a permanent transfer.
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Age: 24 | Position: Forward | Estimated value: €70M
One of the most intriguing players to monitor this summer is Rashford. He’s young and extremely talented but coming off a despondent season marred by injury and poor form.
Declan Rice (West Ham United)
Age: 23 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €75M
Rice is West Ham’s prized asset. A contract until 2024 – with a club option for an additional year – puts the Hammers in an exceedingly strong position here. Any interested clubs will need to pony up serious cash to acquire him.
La Liga
Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid)
Age: 29 | Position: Forward | Estimated value: €25M
Morata’s future is unclear now that his two-year loan spell at Juventus is up. The Italian club can make the move permanent but want a discount on that €35-million option. Atletico are unwilling to budge. This could drag on for a while.
Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid)
Age: 24 | Position: Left-back | Estimated value: €30M
Nouveau-riche Newcastle are making serious overtures here. The Brazilian would instantly provide a significant upgrade on the Magpies’ current options at left-back and could kickstart a busy summer for Eddie Howe’s team.
Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
Age: 25 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €60M
The mere thought of selling De Jong would be ludicrous if it weren’t for Barcelona’s ruinous financial state. However, the club needs cash to fund other signings. Whether the Dutchman will be open to leaving is another matter, though.
Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)
Age: 26 | Position: Winger | Estimated value: €60M
Once one of the game’s most exciting young attackers, serious injuries have relegated Asensio to a bench role at Real Madrid. The Spaniard wants more “regularity” with his playing time, but he likely needs to move elsewhere to find it.
Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)
Age: 22 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €30M
Despite the 22-year-old being in the formative years of his career, Isak’s name has been a permanent fixture of recent transfer windows. With Haaland and Kylian Mbappe off the board, the skillful Swede will be in the spotlight again.
Jules Kounde (Sevilla)
Age: 23 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €60M
Now that Chelsea’s ownership saga is in the rearview, the Blues can fully pursue longtime target Kounde. The French defender would fill an obvious need with Antonio Rudiger already gone and Andreas Christensen likely to follow.
Carlos Soler (Valencia)
Age: 25 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €50M
Former president Anil Murthy may be out of the picture, but after spending his entire senior career to date at his hometown team, the time may be right for Soler to look elsewhere and leave the volatile club.
Pau Torres (Villarreal)
Age: 25 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €50M
A deep Champions League run helped many throughout European football recognize what those in Spain already knew: Torres can be the anchor around which a top-notch defense is built. Tottenham Hotspur are circling.
Serie A
Nicolo Zaniolo (AS Roma)
Age: 22 | Position: Forward | Estimated value: €33M
After two significant knee injuries, Zaniolo looked to once again be approaching his explosive, powerful best near the end of the season. Roma will fight hard to retain the scorer of the Conference League-winning goal.
Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
Age: 23 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €60M
Bastoni, the future pillar of Italy’s backline, is the prototypical modern defender, equally comfortable carrying the ball as he is winning it back. A left-footed center-back is also one of the most coveted profiles in the sport.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Age: 24 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €75M
Inter apparently have hopes of landing both Lukaku and Paulo Dybala this summer. Making that happen will likely require sacrificing Martinez, who blossomed and led the Nerazzurri in scoring this past season.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)
Age: 27 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €70M
Maybe this is the window when the seemingly endless Milinkovic-Savic rumors finally result in an actual transfer. At his best, the imposing Serbian is a game-breaking talent who blends physicality and nimble skill on the ball.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
Age: 30 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €35M
A dominant force since arriving in Italy in 2014, Koulibaly remains an elite defensive presence for Napoli. So far, the club has withstood repeated efforts from some of Europe’s top teams to sign the Senegalese star.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Age: 23 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €65M
Osimhen is quickly becoming one of the most exhilarating strikers to watch in Europe. Lethal inside the penalty area and boasting blistering pace, he seems destined for a gargantuan transfer, perhaps to England, sometime soon.
Gianluca Scamacca (Sassuolo)
Age: 23 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €30M
Scamacca broke out in a big way in 2021-22, scoring 16 goals as the focal point of Sassuolo’s attack. The tattooed Italian is a handful for defenders with his angular frame and combativeness, and he has a penchant for the spectacular.
Gleison Bremer (Torino)
Age: 25 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €35M
He may not be a household name just yet, but there’s a real argument that Bremer was the best defender in Italy this past season, full stop. Inter are moving quickly to try and secure his signature.
Bundesliga
Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)
Age: 26 | Position: Winger | Estimated value: €70M
The elephant-sized saga in Bavaria has largely overshadowed Gnabry’s future. Still, Bayern would be wise to keep hold of the German international who has hit double figures in scoring in every season with the club.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Age: 33 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €50M
The biggest storyline of the window is also the summer’s most bitter feud. Lewandowski has made it abundantly clear that he wants to leave Bayern Munich, with Barcelona his desired destination, much to the club’s chagrin.
Manuel Akanji (Borussia Dortmund)
Age: 26 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €30M
Signing Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck could push Akanji toward the exit at Dortmund. The Swiss international, likely available for a reasonable sum, could turn into a prime opportunity for a club needing defensive help.
Filip Kostic (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Age: 29 | Position: Winger | Estimated value: €20M
Fresh off a starring role in Frankfurt’s Europa League triumph, Kostic is on several clubs’ radar. The Serbian wide player is a cerebral – and persistent – crosser of the ball and a dream for any center forward to play with.
Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig)
Age: 20 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €30M
Whether this summer or in the near future, Croatia’s Gvardiol looks set to follow in the footsteps of former Leipzig defenders Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate in securing a big-money move.
Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
Age: 24 | Position: Attacking midfielder | Estimated value: €65M
No player raised his stock more in the last year than Nkunku. The Frenchman lit up every competition he touched, recording 35 goals and 16 assists. PSG, who let him get away in 2019 for peanuts, would love a mulligan.
Ligue 1
Benoit Badiashile (AS Monaco)
Age: 21 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €30M
The vaunted Monaco pipeline keeps producing. Badiashile, after an impressive season in the principality, has been touted as a possible Giorgio Chiellini replacement at Juventus. He has Premier League suitors aplenty, too.
Aurelian Tchouameni (AS Monaco)
Age: 22 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €60M
Speaking of that conveyor belt. Tchouameni is reportedly on the verge of a colossal €100-million move to Real Madrid, who faced competition from PSG and Liverpool for a player tabbed as France’s next generational midfielder.
Sven Botman (Lille)
Age: 22 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €30M
AC Milan and Newcastle have been engaged in a tug-of-war for Botman’s signature since at least January. The race to sign the defender continues to ebb and flow, with the English side believed to have grabbed the upper hand.
Jonathan David (Lille)
Age: 22 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €45M
His scoring exploits for both Lille and Canada have generated a buzz, particularly in the Premier League. David was a key reason the Canadians finally ended their lengthy World Cup drought this year.
Renato Sanches (Lille)
Age: 24 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €28M
Sanches is back on track after an untimely move to Bayern Munich – and a pit stop at Swansea City – threatened to derail his burgeoning career. He appears to be on the verge of joining AC Milan, where his uptempo style will fit right in.
Lucas Paqueta (Lyon)
Age: 24 | Position: Attacking midfielder | Estimated value: €35M
Newcastle already made one big splash by signing a talented Brazilian midfielder from Lyon. The club could try to recreate that same formula this summer by reuniting Bruno Guimaraes with compatriot and friend Paqueta.
Jeremy Doku (Rennes)
Age: 20 | Position: Winger | Estimated value: €20M
There may not be a player anywhere with a more rapid first step than Doku, who, at 20 years old, still has plenty of room to grow. You only need to watch him torment defenders in wide positions to know why Liverpool are interested.
Elsewhere in Europe (and beyond)
Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax)
Age: 20 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €35M
Bayern Munich have seemingly beaten strong competition from several clubs to sign Gravenberch, the smooth Dutch midfielder who’s garnered comparisons to Paul Pogba in the past. High praise, indeed.
Jurrien Timber (Ajax)
Age: 20 | Position: Center-back | Estimated value: €30M
Whenever a coach leaves one club for another, the rumor mill quickly roars into action speculating about the players who could follow along for the ride. Timber is exactly that player for new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
Darwin Nunez (Benfica)
Age: 22 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €55M
Benfica will be fielding a ton of calls in the coming weeks from clubs that missed out on the Haaland sweepstakes. Mobile and robust, Uruguayan international Nunez found the net with stunning frequency this past season.
Djed Spence (Middlesbrough)
Age: 21 | Position: Right-back | Estimated value: €8M
Spence was one of the standout performers who helped Nottingham Forest earn promotion to the Premier League. His loan spell at Forest may be over, but he’ll almost definitely be in England’s top flight next season regardless.
Valentin Castellanos (New York City FC)
Age: 23 | Position: Striker | Estimated value: €12M
Castellanos was expected to make his big move prior to the start of the MLS season, but nothing materialized to the surprise of many. The reigning Golden Boot winner will garner plenty of interest again this summer, though.
Ibrahim Sangare (PSV Eindhoven)
Age: 24 | Position: Defensive midfielder | Estimated value: €16M
Sangare is a colossus in midfield. He made more tackles and interceptions combined (169) than any player in the Eredivisie this past season. He’ll make his new defensive teammates, whoever they are, extremely happy.
Enzo Fernandez (River Plate)
Age: 21 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €15M
An all-action box-to-box presence, Fernandez is lightning in a bottle. He can progress the ball from deep midfield areas with an extensive passing range or dribble out of pressure himself. He’s the latest gem to come out of El Monumental.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Mac’s edge: Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in March that quarterback Mac Jones was “respectful of coming in as a rookie” last season and that he believed Jones “has a little more edge that we’ve seen.”
It’s showing now.
The Patriots have two weeks remaining in their offseason program — with a three-day mandatory minicamp scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday this week — and Jones’ increased leadership has caught his teammates’ attention.
“It’s just at another level now,” receiver Kendrick Bourne told ESPN. “He’s more comfortable, more confident. He knows what’s going on, and the muscle memory is there [from having gone through it] — OTAs, then camp, and the season. He’s just more locked in, more secure in his position.”
As a result, Jones is positioned to become a team captain in just his second NFL season. If that’s the way it unfolds when players vote near the end of training camp, it would put him in rare company, joining Jerod Mayo and Devin McCourty as the only other Patriots to earn a second-year captaincy in Bill Belichick’s 23-year tenure as head coach.
“He connects with all the players really well. I’m proud of that dude, because it’s not easy,” said Bourne, who was among the visitors at Jones’ house for a hibachi party during the first night of the NFL draft. “Going into his second year after having a year like that, it’s going to be a challenge, but he’s a guy that likes challenges, like all of us in that Patriot building.”
Jones’ increased comfort level has manifested itself at practice when demonstrating to his pass-catchers what he’s looking for in their routes. At one point on Tuesday, he split out wide and ran a route as wide receivers watched intently.
Highlighting a top observation from Patriots practice: Mac Jones’ growing comfort level with WRs to express what he is looking for route-wise.
This video from Tuesday, after DeVante Parker takes a rep, shows one example.
Rolling the route, instead of a sharp cut, was emphasis. pic.twitter.com/miHqn728bH
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 1, 2022
“He’s a young guy but he’s developed as a leader. That’s what this team needs,” said receiver DeVante Parker, now in his eighth NFL season and first in New England after being acquired in a trade from Miami. “I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I still see it.”
Added veteran cornerback Malcolm Butler: “He has great energy on and off the field. His confidence, his swagger — I love that about him.”
2. Balancing act: Starting safety Adrian Phillips arrived in town last week to take part in the final couple of weeks of the team’s offseason program. He said he felt it was the right thing to do, even though it wasn’t easy leaving his wife, Camille, and their 8-month-old son, Dylan, back in Texas. Camille, a doctor, has a demanding job.
“I was at home being a dad and house husband,” Phillips said. “I’m sad that I’m away from him for an extended period of time, because this time is so pivotal. But I FaceTime with him every day and make sure he doesn’t forget my face.”
3. Post-McDaniels era: How has the transition been without Josh McDaniels at offensive coordinator? Spending time with Bourne last week at the 47th annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts Golf Classic, he shared one player’s perspective.
“It’s been dope so far. Joe Judge, our newest member [of the staff], he’s doing a great job,” Bourne said. “Really just new terminology, new words. Football is football, so it’s just about learning the new words, and getting the old words out. And it’s applying my abilities to the new system.”
How much the Patriots’ system actually changes — versus how much the staff is focusing on experimentation — is one of the greatest areas of intrigue surrounding the team.
“I think [Judge is] putting us in position to be successful. I’m excited so far,” said Bourne, adding that his abilities as a rusher (12 carries, 125 yards, 10.4 average in 2021) have been among the personal highlights. “Hopefully we’ll have a great year. We’ll see how it goes.”
4. CB questions: If there’s one position that stands out when asking the question “Do the Patriots have enough?” it’s outside cornerback. Veterans Butler and
