The question for Bills at linebacker is the future beyond 2025
The Bills always could use more depth at a position that is key for special teams. Given the other needs on the roster, spending a prime draft resource on a linebacker does not seem likely.
Editor’s note: This is the second in a seven-part series looking at the Buffalo Bills’ roster heading into the 2025 NFL offseason.
The outlook for the linebacker position on the Buffalo Bills for 2025 looks pretty clear. Everyone is under contract.
The question is: What about the long-term future?
Middle linebacker Terrel Bernard is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal.
Weak-side linebacker Matt Milano is entering the final two years of a two-year extension he signed in March 2023.
Bernard had a good season in his second year as a starter for the Bills. He missed four games due to injury. But in 13 starts, he made 104 tackles, with five tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions. In the divisional round playoff win over Baltimore, Bernard made the play of the game, forcing a fumble by tight end Mark Andrews that helped secure the Bills’ victory.
The Bills love Bernard’s playmaking and instincts, and he’s a team captain with Josh Allen.
Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich went out of his way to praise Bernard before the Kansas City playoff game and pooh-poohed Bernard’s lack of prototypical size.
“TB is a total package,” Babich said. “Seen a lot of growth as a rookie, really liked him coming out of Baylor. And I know a lot of what people wouldn’t like him for the things that, in my mind, don’t matter as much in football, and we’re lucky to have him. I think his teammates would tell you. We’re lucky to have him, and you know there’s a lot of room for growth with him, and there’s a lot of meat on the bone still for him. So it’s been a pleasure to be around him these last three years.”
Bernard is a prime candidate for a contract extension at some point late in the summer or in the early part of the regular season.
The contract of veteran linebacker Matt Milano essentially ensures he will be back as a key member of the Bills’ defense in 2025. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
Milano turns 31 in July and is a proven playmaker, with an All-Pro season to his name in 2022. However, Milano missed 12 games to injury in 2023 and 13 to injury in 2024.
Milano is due to count $15.8 million against the cap in 2025, and his salary cap status makes it likely he’s on the Bills’ roster for another year.
Releasing Milano without a June 1 designation (which spreads out the hit over two years) would count even more ($17.2 million). Putting a June 1 designation on him would save $4.7 million this year (putting the cap hit at $6.1 million) but add an $11 million hit in 2025. Parting ways with him after 2025 would be almost painless from a cap standpoint (costing $6 million in 2026). Some kind of renegotiation with a pay cut for 2025 is possible.
The good news from a depth perspective is Dorian Williams filled in for Milano and showed a lot of promise in 2024. He led the team in tackles with 114 while playing 59% of the snaps.
Bills linebacker Dorian Williams celebrates a tackle against the Chiefs during the AFC championship game on Jan. 26. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
The Bills always could use more depth at a position that is key for special teams. Given the other needs on the roster, spending a prime draft resource on a linebacker does not seem likely.
Under contract: Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, Edefuan Ulofoshio, Joe Andreessen.
Pending free agents: None.
Key question: Will they strike a deal to extend Bernard in August or September?
Free agency and draft priority: Moderate.