Former All-Pro named Buffalo Bills' make-or-break player for 2025

Buffalo's starting linebacker returning to top form will be crucial for the team's success in 2025

Bills linebacker Matt Milano celebrates one of four sacks of Miami s Skylar Thompson. | JAMIE GERMANO / USA TODAY NETWORK

PFF's Dalton Wasserman identified a grizzled veteran as the make-or-break player for the Buffalo Bills in 2025.

It's former All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano.

Wasserman explains, "every year, players throughout the NFL reach a crossroads in their careers and can single-handedly make or break the success of their team's season."

RELATED: Bills' GM reveals injury-plagued All-Pro's potential future beyond 2025

For the Bills, the key to defensive success lies with the former first-team All Pro staying healthy and returning to 2022 form. "One reason the BIlls' defense has struggled to make stops in criticial moments is Milano's absence and ineffectiveness," writes Wasserman.

Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) after recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the second half at Highmark Stadium | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Milano's MCL tear in 2023 and bicep tear in 2024 have limited him to just 544 snaps over the last two seasons. His 2022 season included 99 combined tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, 1.5 sacks, and a Pro Bowl nod. Since then, he's totaled 46 total tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in nine games.

GM Brandon Beane and Milano agreed to a reworked contract this offseason. The new agreement includes a $3.6 million pay reduction, which can be earned back through incentives. Additionally, the Bills removed a year from his contract, making him a free agent in 2026.

RELATED: Bills' Terrel Bernard 'excited to see what happens' with aging teammate's return

Other players on Wasserman's list include Tua Tagovailoa, Breece Hall, and Cole Strange in the AFC East, and QBs Kyler Murray, Anthony Richardson, and Caleb Williams.

Wasserman concludes, "If he can stay healthy and find his previous form, the Bills' defense stands a much better chance of surviving an entire postseason run."

Dec 1, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) makes a tackle on San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) in the third quarter | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

—  Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI  —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Does signing once-rumored Bills' free-agent target give Ravens advantage in AFC race?

• Bills' RB James Cook misses NFL Top 100 cut, here's why

• Josh Allen hints Bills' second-year 'stud' WR will show 'why I wanted him'

• NFL shifts 'Hard Knocks' strategy by choosing 'buttoned-up' Bills

• Realism for Bills' QB Josh Allen coming to gaming world