Bills LB Matt Milano Hoping Best is Yet to Come
As the Buffalo Bills prepare to start the third and final phase of their offseason workout program, linebacker Matt Milano is hoping to build upon what many have called his best season on a professional football field.
Buffalo’s fifth-round selection (No. 163 overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft, finished his 2022 campaign having compiled 99 tackles (12 of which went for loss) two fumble recoveries, 11 passes defended, 1.5 sacks and three interceptions — one of which he returned for a touchdown. For his efforts, he was named as a first-team All Pro, as well as a Pro Bowl selection as an injury replacement.
Accordingly, Milano and the Bills agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $28.3 million during the offseason — saving the club just north of $6 million in cap space.
Still, the deal is seemingly a win for both sides.
The sixth-year veteran has emerged as one of the NFL’s most reliable, all-around defensive weapons. Whether it is stuffing the run, blitzing the quarterback, spying a running quarterback, or covering top tight ends, Milano has done it all for the Bills throughout his tenure — especially in 2022.
Milano made some of the biggest plays of the year for the Bills last season. He spied quarterback Patrick Mahomes in their Week 6 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, forcing the eventual Super Bowl MVP into a game-clinching interception. The veteran linebacker also kept tabs on dual-threat signal caller Lamar Jackson, making two crucial open-field, one-on-one tackles to save big plays in the Bills’ 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4.
When playing at his best, Milano’s presence in the middle of Buffalo’s defense allows them to stack the box more effectively and allow their formidable front seven to win key battles at the line of scrimmage. In addition to presumed starters Terrel Bernard and A.J. Klein, Milano is expected to receive significant help from 2023 third-round Draft selection Dorian Williams in helping to mitigate the loss of veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
With Buffalo projected to face one of the toughest schedules in the NFL for the 2023 season, they will require as much veteran leadership, along with on-field production, as possible.
Fortunately for the Bills, Milano appears to be in the ideal position to provide both for their formidable defensive attack.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.
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