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BUFFALO, NY (AP) – Starting linebacker Matt Milano will explore free agency next month due to Buffalo’s salary cap constraints, a person with first-hand knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Friday.
Milano has been a starter since his rookie season in 2017, and his decision is based on the Bills being unable to match the offers he expects to receive once the signing period of the NFL will open on March 17. His decision was confirmed by the person. who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity as discussions between the player and the team were private.
Milano is expected to be among the best linebackers available in the market, and Bills are reportedly currently only having $ 3 million under a declining salary cap due to lost earnings during the coronavirus pandemic.
The league this week informed teams that the minimum cap will be $ 180 million, which is down from $ 198 million last season.
The bills are already expected to create more space by reducing or restructuring existing wages to meet other more affordable needs, such as the offensive line. The team also needs to clear some future salary cap space to sign quarterback Josh Allen, who has just completed a breakout season and entered the final year of his rookie contract.
CEO Brandon Beane raised the prospect last month not being able to afford to re-sign Milano.
“Look, we want to keep good players. Matt is a good player so we would like to keep him here, ”said Beane. “But, again, he’s earned this right and we’ll just have to see how it goes.”
Buffalo has just finished 13-3 in which he won his first AFC East Division title in 25 years and reached the conference championship for the first time since 1994.
Milan, 26, was selected by Buffalo in the fifth round of the 2017 Draft and has become a healthy key contributor. His versatility as an outside linebacker to defend against the run and the pass made him a valuable player at three tries in the Buffalo defensive system.
An assortment of injuries limited him to appearing in just 11 regular season games and six starts last year in which Milano has consistently posted career records with 3 1/2 sacks and nine quarterback presses. Including the playoffs, the Bills were 12-1 with Milano in the lineup last season.
In 2018, he was the only NFL player with at least 75 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Overall, Milano has five interceptions, five breakaways and one forced fumble in 55 career games, including 39 starts.
AJ Klein, who has two more years on his contract, is said to be a candidate to take over the starting position after replacing Milan this season.
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