Matt Milano, a Buffalo Bills linebacker, was named an All-Pro in 2022 and appeared to be on track for another in 2023 before suffering an injury.
Milano suffered a fractured leg in Week 5, missing the rest of the season and requiring extensive rehab for what the team described as a difficult injury. Though Milano is projected to return to the field to open the 2024 season, one analyst believes the Bills should recruit another experienced linebacker as insurance. Bills Could Use Veteran Assistance.
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report highlighted one prospective offseason move for each of the 32 clubs, adding that the Bills should add another linebacker to offset Milano’s potential performance dip.
“At his best, Matt Milano is an All-Pro player. However, he turns 30 at the end of July and is coming off a season-ending injury,” Holder stated. “Also, Buffalo let Tyrel Dodson, who filled in well for Milano last fall, walk in free agency.”
Adding another linebacker might be critical for a club that has undergone substantial defensive adjustments, Holder said, suggesting the Bills should seek Shaquille Leonard as a “insurance policy” for Milano.
Leonard, a three-time All-Pro and former Defensive Rookie of the Year, is coming off a career-low 88 total tackles in 12 games, including one sack. He was released from the Indianapolis Colts midway through the season and picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, I witnessed little improvement in the new configuration.
Leonard has suffered with some major injuries and hinted at the end of the season that he may be considering retirement.
“I think that will be a tough discussion for myself,” Leonard stated after the Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs, via CBS Sports. “After two back operations, you realize you have to take your time and try to sort this stuff out. You need to see how you seem on video over the year. Is it worthwhile to keep going? Are you yourself? Are you a shell of yourself?
“I have a lot to think about this offseason.”
If his NFL career was coming to an end, Leonard appeared to be fine with it.
“To play this game, we’re one in a million to come out and play the game that we love,” Leonard stated. “For me, it’s all about positive energy. Always be thankful to be where you are and offer joy.
If Leonard decides to return, he might provide some senior leadership to a Bills team that recently lost cornerback Tre’Davious White and safety Jordan Poyer, both of whom played major roles on the field and in the locker room.
New Linebacker Help for the Bills
The Bills have already bolstered their linebacker corps by selecting Edefuan Ulofoshio of Washington in the fifth round. As Ralph Ventre of SI.com’s Bills Central pointed out, the rookie may see the most action on special teams to begin the season.
“Ulofoshio made his debut on the field as a freshman in 2018, covering kickoffs.” In his first collegiate play, he forced turnovers on two different kick returns,” Ventre said, adding that Ulofoshio was named the team’s Coaches’ Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the 2022 Alamo Bowl.
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