What Happened to Matt Milano? The Bills’ Shocking Decision Revealed

The Buffalo Bills have long been known for their formidable defense, especially during the tenure of former head coach Sean McDermott. This unit was anchored by a group of Pro Bowl-caliber players, including Tremaine Edmunds, Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer, and Matt Milano. Among them, Milano’s journey from an overlooked fifth-round draft pick to an All-Pro linebacker stands out as one of the most inspiring stories in the NFL.

Milano, selected in the fifth round of the 2017 draft from Boston College, was initially seen as little more than a depth player. In his rookie season, he played just over 40% of the snaps, backing up veterans like Preston Brown, Lorenzo Alexander, and Ramon Humber. However, once he secured a starting role, he quickly proved his worth. His snap counts nearly doubled in his second year, and by his third season, he had established himself as a key player on McDermott’s defense.

His breakout season came in 2022, where he recorded 99 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 11 passes deflected, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown. That performance earned him first-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. He continued to shine in the playoffs, contributing 20 combined tackles and three sacks across two games.

Unfortunately, injuries derailed his momentum. In 2023, he suffered a season-ending leg fracture during a Week 5 game against the Jaguars. The following year, he tore his biceps in preseason and underwent surgery that kept him out of action until late November. These setbacks limited him to just nine games over two seasons, marking a significant decline from his previous form.

Despite returning last season with 67 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 games, the Bills chose not to re-sign him when his contract expired this offseason. In March 2025, however, Milano and the team restructured his deal, with him agreeing to a $3 million pay cut that would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season.

Buffalo has since made changes to its linebacker room under a new 3-4 scheme led by defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Players like Greg Rousseau, Dorian Williams, Terrel Bernard, Bradley Chubb, and Christian Benford are expected to see heavy playing time, along with second-round rookie T.J. Parker and fourth-rounder Kaleb Elarms-Orr. With these additions, Milano found himself as the odd man out, as the team shifted toward a younger, retooled front seven.

Milano’s strength lay in his versatility. He could cover tight ends and running backs like a defensive back, blitz like an edge rusher, and hold his own against the run. This combination made him one of the most well-rounded linebackers in the league. Now, as a free agent, there is a strong possibility that contenders will reach out for the 31-year-old.

Teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, both of whom have reported needs at off-ball linebacker, could be potential landing spots. The Indianapolis Colts might also emerge as a sleeper option as training camp approaches.