BUFFALO, NY (AP) – Core leader Matt Milano will explore the free agency next month due to Buffalo’s salary cap constraints, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press on Friday.
Milan has been a starter since the 2017 debut season, and its decision is based on the fact that Bills is not able to match the offers he expects to receive once the NFL signing period opens on March 17th. His decision was confirmed by the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, as the discussions between the player and the team were private.
Milan is expected to be among the most important backbackers available on the market, and the bills are currently estimated at just $ 3 million available under a salary cap that falls due to loss of income suffered during the coronavirus pandemic.
The league informed the teams this week that the minimum limit will be 180 million dollars, which dropped from $ 198 million last season.
It is already expected that the bills will create more space by reducing or restructuring existing wages to meet other more accessible needs, such as the offensive line. The team must also free up future salary cap space to re-enroll quarterback Josh Allen, who is coming off an entry-level season and entering the final year of his rookie contract.
General manager Brandon Beane raised his outlook last month of not being able to afford to sign Milan again.
“Listen, we want to keep good players. Matt is a good player, so we would like to keep him here, “said Beane. “But, again, he has won this right and we will just have to see how it goes.”
Buffalo finished 13-3, winning its first AFC East Division title in 25 years and reaching the 1994 conference championship for the first time.
Milan, 26, was selected by Buffalo in the fifth round of the 2017 draft and has become a key contributor when he is healthy. His versatility in the position of outside defender to defend against running and step made him a valuable player with three down in Buffalo’s defensive system.
An assortment of injuries limited him to appearing in just 11 games of the regular season and six starts last year, in which Milan continued to record the best careers with 3 1/2 sacks and nine defender pressures. Including the playoffs, Bills had a 12-1 record with Milan in the team last season.
In 2018, he was the only NFL player with at least 75 attacks, three interceptions and three fumbles. Overall, Milan has five interceptions, five rebounds and a forced in 55 career games, including 39 starts.
AJ Klein, who has two years left on his contract, is said to be a candidate for the post after taking over for Milan this season.
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