Bills Central

Bills urged to draft replacement for All-Pro linebacker

The Buffalo Bills have to look towards the future in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jeremy Brener|
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) smiles after making a tackle during the second half of the Buffalo Bills wild card game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 12, 2025.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) smiles after making a tackle during the second half of the Buffalo Bills wild card game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 12, 2025. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Matt Milano is entering his ninth season with the Buffalo Bills, and it could be his last.

Milano, 30, was a Pro Bowl linebacker in 2022, which was his best season to date. Since then, injuries have limited him to nine out of a possible 34 regular season games.

That's likely part of the reason why Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine believes that the Bills should look to select Milano's eventual replacement in the 2025 NFL Draft.

"The Bills' decision to restructure Matt Milano's deal with a pay cut likely guarantees the veteran is on the roster for 2025. A post-June 1 cut would have saved money, but they freed up cash now by getting him to agree to the pay cut. That doesn't mean his job is safe in 2026, though," Ballentine writes.

"Buffalo has two second-round picks. Linebacker might not be widely considered a huge need after bringing back Milano, but the reality is he's a 30-year-old linebacker who has played nine games over the last two seasons. Drafting his successor in this year's draft would be a wise move."

Matt Milan
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) is all smiles as he heads towards the bench with the ball he got possession of after the New York Jets fumbled it during second half action at the Bills home game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 29, 2024. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Milano re-negotiated his contract to hit free agency a year earlier than expected, which means he is not under contract for 2026.

RELATED: Bills' free agency move sets up fierce safety battle with ex-Commanders' starter

The Bills would be wise to search for someone now just in case he doesn't pan out after a year. That would allow the Bills to dip back into next year's class to see if someone is capable of stepping into Milano's role.

It isn't an easy task, but the Bills have to find someone that can lead the defense because they haven't found a true replacement currently on the roster.

Matt Milan
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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