BUFFALO, NY (AP) – Initial advocate Matt Milano will explore the free agency next month due to Buffalo’s salary cap limitations, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Friday.
Milano has been a starter since its rookie season in 2017 and its decision is based on the Bills not being able to match the offers it hopes to receive once the NFL signing period opens on 17 March. His decision was confirmed by the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the discussions between the player and the team have been private.
Milano is expected to be among the top advocates available in the market, and it is currently estimated that the Bills will only have $ 3 million under a lower wage cap due to revenue losses incurred during the coronavirus pandemic.
The League has informed teams this week that the minimum limit will be $ 180 million, down $ 198 million from last season.
Bills are already expected to create more space by cutting or restructuring existing wages to meet other more affordable needs, such as the offensive line. The team must also release the future salary cap to re-sign quarterback Josh Allen, who reaches a starting season and enters the final year of his rookie contract.
CEO Brandon Beane last month raised the prospect of not being able to afford to re-sign Milano.
“Listen, we want to keep good players. Matt is a good player, so we would love to keep him here, “Beane said.” But again, that right has been earned and we’ll just have to see how it works. “
Buffalo finished 13-3 in winning its first AFC East Division title in 25 years and winning the conference championship for the first time since 1994.
Milano, 26, was selected by Buffalo in the fifth round of the 2017 draft and became a key contributor when he was healthy. His versatility in the outside defensive position to defend himself from the race and the pass made him a valuable three-man player in Buffalo’s defensive system.
An assortment of injuries limited him to appearing in just 11 games of the regular season and six starts this past year in which Milano still posted the best career titles with 3 1/2 sacks and nine quarterback pressures. Including the playoffs, the Bills had a 12-1 record with Milano in training last season.
In 2018, he was the only NFL player with at least 75 attacks, three interceptions and three rebounds. Overall, Milano has five interceptions, five fumble rebounds and a forced fumble in 55 career games, including 39 starts.
AJ Klein, who has two years left on his contract, would be a candidate to take on the initial job after taking over from Milan this season.
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