One of the biggest “What Ifs” surrounding the Buffalo Bills involves linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard. Milano has been a fan-favorite for a long time because of his sideline-to-sideline presence and Bernard has recently risen to star level at the linebacker position. However, this duo hasn’t played a ton of games together due to injuries that Milano has had to go through.
When Milano suffered a leg injury early on in 2023, Bernard stepped up and had a better year than Milano’s All-Pro season in 2022. Then prior to the start of last season, Milano tore his bicep and wasn’t active until Week 13. In the little bit of action we have seen Milano and Bernard together, it hasn’t been as impressive as Bills fans were hoping for.
At the same time, the Bills defense is a lot better when they are both on the field and NFL executives, coaches, and scouts are seeing that as well. Per Jeremy Fowler from ESPN, NFL executives across the league recently ranked the top off-ball linebackers going into the 2025 season and both Milano and Bernard earned some votes.
Duo of Milano and Bernard gets some love in latest ESPN rankings
While neither of them were voted as top-ten players, Milano was listed as an honorable mention and Bernard earned himself some votes as well. As for Milano, here’s what an NFL coordinator said:
"One of my favorites when healthy. He's so important to Buffalo. Great communicator, great in pass coverage. Just can't stay on the field."NFL coordinator, ESPN
That is spot on with Milano. He has been a dynamic player and at one point was the heart and soul of Buffalo’s defense. His ability to stay on the field though has put him in a corner going into this coming season. He’s facing a contract year and unless he plays at an All-Pro level, it’s almost impossible to imagine him coming to the Bills after 2025.
As for Bernard, he just signed a four-year extension this past offseason and he’s ready to be the leader of the Bills defense for years to come. He’s a younger version of Milano and the hope is that he can stay more healthy.