Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - My 2025 State of the Buffalo Bills series continues with a look at the linebackers:
Under contract:
- Terrel Bernard
- Matt Milano
- Dorian Williams
- Joe Andreessen
- Edefuan Ulofoshio
- Baylon Spector
Pending free agents:
- Tyreek Maddox-Williams (UFA)
State of the position:
When healthy, this can be one of the stronger units on the Bills. And heading into 2025, it's one of the most stable units, as far as contracts are concerned.
But there are a couple of really interesting decisions that lie ahead.
Let's start with Matt Milano. The weakside linebacker has been one of the top players in the organization since he was drafted by the Bills in 2017.
After breaking his leg five games into 2023 and missing the rest of the season, Milano was poised for a big return last year, only to tear his biceps and be out again for most of 2024.
Milano is going to be 31-years-old in 2025, and coming off two major injuries. He has a salary cap hit of $15.8 million.
Even if the team were to decide to move on from him to save money, they can only do it as a post-June 1 release. Any sort of release before that would not only not clear any cap space, but literally cost even more at over $18 million of dead cap money.
Designating Milano a post-June 1 cut would save $9.6 million this season, but still cost over $6.1 million in dead cap each of the next two years. And they wouldn’t be able to use any of that cleared money until June 1, anyway.
Plus, when Milano came back late last year, the team immediately inserted him back as their starting WLB, which says a lot about how they still feel about him versus Dorian Williams in that role, as well as Williams had played at times.
The team has also raved about Milano's workout habits and mentality, indicating they believe he will be healthy, ready to go, and be a core player for them again in 2025.
But that will all be tested as the offseason moves forward.
Meanwhile, Williams started 11 games in Milano’s absence, and led the team with 117 total tackles. He plays fast, sometimes too fast, which puts him out of position.
But that part of his game really improved from Year 1 to Year 2, and should continue to get even better.
If the Bills decide to save money on Milano as a post-June 1 cut, Williams will become the starting weakside linebacker. But unless that happens, he will enter his third season as a primary backup and core special teams player who also possibly sees the field in three linebacker sets, which the Bills don’t use very often.
Terrel Bernard is the unquestioned starting middle linebacker, and captain of the defense. Only Bernard and Josh Allen were named captains of the team for 2024.
After taking over the starting MLB spot for Tremaine Edmunds in 2023, Bernard has proven himself to be a terrific three-down linebacker. Despite missing four games last year, he still finished with 107 total tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, and two interceptions.
He also forced a key fumble in the team’s AFC Divisional Round win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Bernard is now eligible for a contract extension, and there’s no doubt the Bills would love to secure him long-term. But how much will that cost, and can they do it this offseason?
The 25-year-old is currently scheduled to only count $3.6 million on this year's salary cap. An extension would be tough to lower that number, and probably even add onto it.
If they don't get one done this offseason, he will enter the final year of his rookie contract. The team would still have the option to franchise tag him at this time next year.
There will be an interesting battle for Bernard’s backup spot come training camp between Baylon Spector and Joe Andreessen, the Lancaster High School and University at Buffalo product who became a terrific story when he made the team as a tryout player last offseason.
Spector has had trouble staying healthy in his career. He’s been placed on Injured Reserve three times in the last two seasons.
Andreessen, who started and played every snap at MLB in the team’s Week 18 game against the New England Patriots, will have a solid shot to win this job. In the 13 games he played, he was on the field for, at least, 60% of special teams snaps.
Spector has one year remaining on his rookie contract, while Andreessen has two years left on his deal.
Eddie Ulofoshio played four games last year, but saw action in just one on defense when he started and played every snap at WLB in Week 18. The fifth-round pick from last year will enter his second season, looking to carve out a main special teams role, where he contributed in the other three games he played.
Tyreek Maddox-Williams was signed to the practice squad after the Philadelphia Eagles poached Lewis Cine late in the season. He will be an unrestricted free agent.
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