BUFFALO, NY (AP) – Startup linebacker Matt Milano will explore free agency next month due to Buffalo’s salary cap, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press Friday.
Milano has been a starter since his rookie season in 2017, and his decision is based on the fact that the bills are unable to match the offers he expects to receive once the NFL signing period begins on March 17. His decision was confirmed by the person. who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the discussions between the player and the team were private.
Milano is expected to be one of the best linebackers available in the market, and the Bills are currently estimated to have only $ 3 million available under a salary ceiling that is dropping due to loss of income during the coronavirus pandemic.
The league informed teams this week that the maximum limit will be $ 180 million, that’s down $ 198 million from last season.
The bills are already expected to create more leeway by cutting existing salaries or restructuring to meet other more affordable needs, such as an offensive line. The team must also clear room for future salary caps to re-sign quarterback Josh Allen, who is heading into a breakout season and entering the final year of his rookie contract.
General manager Brandon Beane brought up the prospect last month of not being able to afford to re-sign Milano.
“Listen, we want to keep good players. Matt is a good player, so we’d like to keep him here, ”Beane said. “But again, he has earned this right and we’ll just have to see how it ends.”
Buffalo is coming off a 13-3 finish in which it won its first AFC East Division title in 25 years and reached the conference championship for the first time since 1994.
26-year-old Milano was selected by Buffalo in the fifth round of the 2017 draft and developed into a major contributor when he was healthy. His versatility on the outside of the linebacker to defend against the run and pass made him a valuable three-downer player in the Buffalo defensive system.
An assortment of injuries saw him play in only eleven regular season games and six starts in the past year, with Milano still posting record hits with 3 1/2 sacks and nine quarterback pressures. Including the playoffs, the Bills had a 12-1 record with Milano in the lineup last season.
In 2018, he was the only NFL player to have at least 75 tackles, three interceptions, and three recoveries. In total, Milano has five interceptions, five recovered fumbles, and one forced fumble in 55 career games, including 39 starts.
AJ Klein, who is still on his contract for two years, would be a candidate to take over the runway after coming on for Milano this season.
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