Bills Mafia was over the moon with Thursday’s news… and they weren’t alone.

The Bills re-signed linebacker Matt Milano to a four-year deal. Many expected he would be testing the free agent market, but instead, he returns. The importance of that to those in Buffalo is known.

But the national reactions reflected that as well.

Here’s a few national media reactions to the Bills’ re-signing of Milano, all of which praised the move:

Chris Simms, NBC Sports

Impressed that the Bills held onto Matt Milano. Clearly the best standup LB available. He pops on film, he’s everywhere.

— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) March 11, 2021

Kim Jones, NFL Network

Whoa! #Bills being able to re-sign LB Matt Milano is a bit surprising (at least to me). Might have found more $$ elsewhere in free agency, but stays. Big move.

— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) March 11, 2021

Josina Anderson

Source says some with the #Bills were pleasantly surprised that LB Matt Milano chose not to go to the market. They emphasized hearing how important the culture in Buffalo is to Milano, and his feeling that the team is so close to taking the next big step. Huge re-sign for them.

— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 11, 2021

Pro Football Focus

Bills are re-signing LB Matt Milano to a four-year, $44M contact ($24M guaranteed), per @AdamSchefter

Milano: 67.2 career PFF Grade (28th) pic.twitter.com/XiS1mVtIFw

— PFF (@PFF) March 11, 2021

Field Yates, ESPN

Three Buffalo draft picks from 2017 have received extensions:
CB Tre’Davious White: 4-years, $69M
LT Dion Dawkins: 4-years, $60M
LB Matt Milano: 4-years, $44M

To land three franchise cornerstones in a single draft is major business. https://t.co/gsBiGbdN0w

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 11, 2021

Dan Graziano, ESPN

Big re-sign for the Bills here. There had been some concern that they might not be able to keep him. https://t.co/tPqv4B91xj

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) March 11, 2021

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

One of the top LBs on the market, Milano elects to stay in Buffalo and help keep his defense together. Nice deal for the player and big deal for Buffalo. https://t.co/c5eLl0rpcZ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2021

Adam Schefter, ESPN

Buffalo is re-signing LB Matt Milano to a four-year, $44 million contract that includes $24 million guaranteed, per source. Milano is willing to forego free agency for another run at the Super Bowl. #BillsMafia

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2021

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

One of game's best coverage LBs was set to test free agency, Buffalo steps in https://t.co/wsspGbqG6b

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 11, 2021

Albert Breer, MMQB

Really good move by the Bills. https://t.co/zqcpmVsVVF

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 11, 2021

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