BREAKING: Veteran LB and Bills agreed to take pay cut to let him hit free agency After criticism over contract issues
The Buffalo Bills have freed up additional cap space after star linebacker Matt Milano agreed to a pay cut. Now entering the second week of free agency in the new NFL league year, Buffalo has been active, bringing in new talent while retaining several key players. With Milano restructuring his contract, more roster moves could be on the horizon.
Milano’s revised deal results in a $3.6 million reduction in his salary for the upcoming season, though he has the opportunity to earn it back through performance-based incentives tied to playing time, sacks, and interceptions. However, the adjustment also shortens his contract by a year, making him a free agent after the upcoming season instead of 2027. The move is expected to save the Bills approximately $6 million in cap space.
This restructuring mirrors a similar deal made by Von Miller last offseason, where he recouped most of his pay through incentives after returning from injury. Milano has faced his share of injury setbacks over the past two seasons. Coming off a First-Team All-Pro campaign in 2023, he reaffirmed his status as a top off-ball linebacker before suffering a fractured leg and ligament damage in London just a few weeks into the season. After an extensive rehab process, he returned last summer only to tear his bicep in a tackling drill, forcing him to miss time until Week 13.
As the season progressed, Milano steadily regained form, peaking at the perfect moment for the playoffs. While not quite at his previous level, he showed improvement each week, delivering his best performance in the AFC Championship against the Chiefs with several key plays to keep Buffalo in the game. A longtime fan favorite, Milano’s injuries have been costly for both him and the team, with the Bills’ defense feeling his absence while he missed nearly two full seasons of his prime.
Bills maybe losing Matt Milano after 2025
Born in Long Island, New York, linebacker Matt Milano was drafted by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Under head coach Sean McDermott, he quickly became a cornerstone of Buffalo’s resurgence, helping the franchise climb out of mediocrity. Despite playing only nine games over the last two seasons due to injuries, Milano has been a consistent force throughout his eight-year career in Buffalo, amassing 504 total tackles, 59 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, 10.5 sacks, 39 passes defended, and two defensive touchdowns. The 6’0”, 223-pound Boston College product has also established himself as one of the league’s premier coverage linebackers.
Milano has a reputation for delivering in big moments, particularly in the postseason, where Buffalo’s defense has often struggled. In 11 career playoff games, he has recorded 90 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, five passes defended, and 12 quarterback hits. He has played a crucial role in defensive game plans, serving as a quarterback spy against mobile threats like Lamar Jackson—whom the Bills have beaten twice with Milano’s help—and keeping Buffalo competitive against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, a team they’ve yet to overcome in the playoffs.
His restructured deal could prove beneficial for both sides. Milano has the opportunity to earn back his salary and position himself for another lucrative contract next offseason. At 32 heading into the 2026 season, it could be his final major payday. For the Bills, the move creates immediate cap relief to strengthen the roster for a Super Bowl push.
Buffalo remains fond of Milano, and his next contract could still come from them, which would be a welcome sight for fans. However, they also have a promising young linebacker in Dorian Williams, a 2023 third-round pick known for his aggressive play style. Milano’s pay cut benefits the team now, but it also raises the stakes for his upcoming season, making 2024 a pivotal year for the former All-Pro.