3 questions for the Buffalo Bills linebackers entering training camp
By Brandon Ray
1.) If the Buffalo Bills stick with a 4-2-5 formation, who will play alongside Matt Milano?
Since 2018, the duo of Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds has been a leading force of the Bills defense. As a top linebacker duo in the NFL, Edmunds and Milano were able to play sideline-to-sideline football and fly around to get to the ball. Part of the reason as to why they were dangerous is because of the defensive linemen taking on double teams which takes away a blocker, allowing Milano and Edmunds to make a play.
Now that Edmunds is out of Buffalo, if the Bills stick to a 4-2-5 (four defensive linemen, two linebackers, five defensive backs), who will take Edmunds' spot? If Sean McDermott wants versatility out of his linebackers on the field, then there are three linebackers who will have the best chance to play alongside Milano; A.J. Klein, Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams.
A.J. Klein has played with the Bills since 2020 and has also played for McDermott with the Carolina Panthers, so he is very familiar with the process. Bernard was drafted by the Bills in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, which puts him in the conversation as someone who should be competing for a starting position.
In addition to Bernard, Dorian Williams was just drafted by the Bills this past year in the third round. It will come down to versatility and who can see the field the best during training camp, as well as the preseason.