Bills’ Unexpected Signing raised questions about whether $28 Million LB’s will Return
Buffalo selected just a solitary wide receiver and edge in the 2024 NFL draft, leading analysts to anticipate their pursuit of an additional seasoned playmaker via free agency.
The Buffalo Bills signing linebacker Deion Jones to a one-year contract caught many off guard, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This move was unexpected as Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard hold strong positions on the team with capable backup players in tow.
Aside from the selection of linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio in round five, the team also has Dorian Williams, Nicholas Morrow, and Baylon Spector. Concerns were raised among Buffalo’s fanbase regarding Milano’s comeback if they decided to bolster their roster depth even further.
Patrick Moran of Talking Buffalo remarked, “With an obvious need for a solid edge and potentially yet another wide receiver, why are the Bills pursuing only another linebacker? Is there reason to be slightly concerned about Matt Milano?”
Buffalo’s defense suffered a major setback last season when Milano fractured his leg in Week 4. Despite undergoing surgery that was anticipated to end his season, he wasn’t officially excluded from the games until late December.
On April 29, when questioned by reporters, Bills’ general manager Brandon Beane refrained from providing a definite timeframe for the return of an athlete. However, he did mention that this sportsman is currently training at their facility and expressed optimism that they will be able to make a comeback soon. Brandon added hopefully there’s potential for him to start playing again during camp season.
The addition of Jones to the team may suggest that Milano’s role will be limited during training camp and preseason, but some do not believe there is a connection between the two.
Joe Marino, the host of “Locked on Bills,” stated that Brandon Beane is focused on avoiding any linebacker depth concerns in 2023 by bringing out of retirement AJ Klein and playing Tyrel Dodson with one arm during last year’s playoffs against KC.
Matt Milano Expects to Have a ‘Normal Offseason Offseason of Training’
On October 8, Milano collided with his former teammate Leonard Floyd and offensive tackle Walker Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars, resulting in an injury to his right leg. Although Floyd was able to resume playing after a while, Milano had to be helped off the field as he couldn’t do so on his own.
For months, Buffalo concealed the specifics of Milano’s condition and injury, leaving it shrouded in secrecy. However, on January 4th – after having inked a two-year $28 million contract extension during last offseason – Milano finally opened up about his affliction.
Ryan O’Halloran of The Buffalo News reported that Milano disclosed he had a broken bone in his right tibia, located just below the knee. However, there was no harm to any ligaments within the knee joint.
According to Milano, he won’t be able to apply any pressure on his leg for approximately eight weeks. He is presently undergoing rehabilitation at the Bills’ place and anticipates a standard training offseason.
Beane emphasized that Milano’s return won’t be hurried. “Our priority is ensuring his complete readiness to play the entire season before we field him,” Beane stated.
Last season, the Carolina Panthers had linebacker Deion Jones on their team.
The addition of Jones to the team failed to ignite excitement among Bills Mafia. Anthony Prohaska, host of Cover 1, tweeted with utmost respect that if it were between the years 2017 and 2021 he would have been thrilled about it.
Jones played in 13 games for the Carolina Panthers last year, amassing a tally of 35 tackles and making six pass defences. He also managed to score one sack and an interception. Jones had previously spent seven seasons playing with the Atlanta Falcons since being drafted as a second-round pick during the NFL draft of 2016. In 2019 he signed on to stay at Falcon Nation earning $57 million over four years before they eventually traded him away mid-season in2022to jointhe Cleveland Browns team instead.
Jones accumulated a total of 44 tackles, 3 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and interception in his stint with the Browns over eleven games. His last season with more than hundred recorded tackles was back in 2021.
