Buffalo Bills star linebacker and All-Pro Matt Milano has dealt with persistent injuries over the last two seasons, causing him to miss 27 games across both the regular season and playoffs. In 2023, Milano’s year was cut short in Week 5 due to a tibial plateau fracture and a torn MCL against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury woes continued in 2024, when he tore his bicep during training camp, sidelining him for the first 11 games, and later missed Week 16 because of a groin injury.
The Buffalo Bills’ LB was a potential cap casualty
Milano is in the first year of a two-year, $28.33 million contract extension, which includes a $9.265 million base salary and a $15.822 million cap hit for 2025. Due to his recent injury history, the rise of Terrel Bernard, and strong play from Dorian Williams, Milano has been viewed by many as a potential cap casualty. If the Bills release him with a post-June 1st designation, they could spread the $17.253 million in dead money into the 2026 offseason. This move would free up $10.414 million in cap space on June 2nd, while leaving $5.408 million in dead cap for 2025 and $11.845 million for 2026.
Buffalo Bills announce key defensive player returning in 2025
Per Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, Matt Milano and the Bills have agreed to a $3.63 million pay cut, which Milano can recoup through performance-based incentives. The adjustment reduces his guaranteed money from $9.265 million to $5.631 million, creating $3.66 million in cap savings. Milano’s base salary for 2025 is now lowered to $3.275 million, while his cap hit drops from $15.822 million to $12.163 million. Additionally, both sides have agreed to void the final year of his deal, meaning Milano will now hit free agency in 2026 instead of 2027.