Money still talks, but aside from that, good news from linebacker Matt Milano on Friday. Where does he want to sign his next contract? With the only NFL team he’s signed one with: the Buffalo Bills.
Milano and offensive tackle Dion Dawkins are two key players to keep in mind off the field as the 2020 season approaches. In 2017, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott joined the Bills and general manager Brandon Beane soon followed. That year’s draft was the first one connected them
Milano and Dawkins were two big-time hits from it. Fifth and second-round picks of the Bills, respectively, those two have been important pieces… along with cornerback Tre’Davious White. But White has a fifth year on his rookie deal since he’s a first-round selection.
Translation: Milano, and Dawkins, need new contracts or else it could spell the end of their tenures in Buffalo. But as of now, there’s little reason to be concerned about the linebacker’s mindset. He said to reporters via video conference that wants to play with the Bills beyond 2020, no question.
“Absolutely. Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Milano said.
Naturally a contract extension has a lot of I’s and T’s to cross. Let alone now. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has future salary cap figures all over the place. Usually a number that increases, the 2021 cap could go from $198 million this year to $175M. That’s what happens with no fans in seats causing a big loss in revenues. But could this smaller cap figure and loss on dollars cause the Bills to lose some of their own, though? The future will tell us that, but for now, no worries from Milano.
“That’s the business side of things. I’m really focused on winning a championship here with the Bills, focusing on myself being the best version of myself I can be. So I’m gonna let that take care of itself and when it takes care of itself, hope it’s the right number,” Milano said.
Furthering Milano’s importance to the Bills might be a bit of a future projection from fellow linebacker Tremaine Edmunds recently. Earlier this week, Edmunds said Milano is starting to show signs of grabbing a leadership role on Buffalo’s defense, something that’s also needed following Lorenzo Alexander’s retirement.
“Yeah, Matt? That’s my guy, that’s my guy,” Edmunds said. “Whatever comes up, I think we’re both comfortable with expressing that with each other. And not just with me, I think he’s comfortable expressing that to everyone else. I think that’s the biggest thing and that’s what you want, especially from a linebacker in the group.”
“Just seeing that leadership step up from him is a good thing too,” Edmunds added.
For what it’s worth, the salary cap experts over at Spotrac projects Milano’s future market value at $13M per season.
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