One of the biggest free agents the Buffalo Bills had this offseason is set to return after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Bills have agreed to a four-year deal worth $44 million dollars, with $24 million guaranteed.
This is certainly a surprise considering that Milano was set to be one of the more sought-after free agents in free agency. It was reported last month that the starting linebacker was planning to test the market but the Bills made a strong offer to keep him with the team.
Milano was a fifth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2017 and became a starter towards the end of his rookie season with five starts. He has been the team’s starter every season since and became a key part of this defense.
In 2018, Milano started 13 games and had a career-high three interceptions and three fumble recovers. He followed that up with a career-high in tackles with 101 in 2019 while starting 15 games.
This past season was tough for the outside linebacker as he dealt with a number of injuries that seemed to limit his performance and his time on the field. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 against the New York Jets and missed one game.
Milano would return in Week 3 but would suffer a pectoral injury the following week that lingered through the season and even resulted in a trip to injured reserve. When he returned in Week 12, the coaching staff limited his workload to ease him back but he was a full-time starter by the time the playoffs started.
In those three playoff games, Milano would have 25 total tackles and three passes defended.
While it is a substantial contract, Matt Milano is a key part of this defense and is one of the better linebackers in the league when it comes to pass coverage. The Buffalo Bills are one of the top teams in the AFC and the return of Matt Milano will be a boost to this defense moving forward.