The Bills announced on Sunday that they had extended All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano’s contract for two years, through the 2026 season. This is a move that will benefit the team now and in the future.
The annual value of the extension is $14 million.
The move benefits Buffalo by creating approximately $6 million in cap space. The team was over the 2023 cap by more than $19 million going into the weekend. Defensive tackle Tim Settle’s contract was restructured to free up $600,000, with more reorganizations and changes to come.
Milano, 28, was previously signed to a four-year, $44 million, $24 million guaranteed contract that ran through the 2024 season and was signed just before the linebacker could go free agency in 2021.
Milano had previously been troubled by injuries, and in 2020, he missed a career-high six games. However, Milano has only missed one game per year with minor injuries over the past two seasons.
Milano, who came from Boston College and was selected by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2017 draft, has started 69 games and played in 85.
With Tremaine Edmunds, 24, who has been with the Bills for the past five years, set to become a free agent when the league year begins on Wednesday, this latest deal keeps Milano with Buffalo for the long term. On a defense that has led the NFL in yards per play allowed since 2018 (4.98), Edmunds and Milano formed a strong linebacker tandem together.
Although the move does free up cap space, Milano’s extension raises questions about whether the Bills will be able to put more money into the linebacker position with Edmunds. In 2023, safety Jordan Poyer, who has been with the Buffalo Bills since 2017, is expected to consider signing with a different team.
Milano is falling off seemingly the most grounded time of his vocation, with 3 interceptions, 99 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries in 2022. He had the second most tackles of any season with 99, and his three interceptions tied a career high. Milano likewise had a profession high 11 passes defended and led the Bills with 12 tackles for loss.
He made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career and was named to the first team of All-Pro.
