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Packers linebacker Quay Walker.
The Buffalo Bills have relied on a veteran-heavy defense in recent years, but some core players have started to show their age in recent seasons.
One analyst believes it’s time for the Bills to seek an upgrade at one key position, targeting a young free agent who can excel in the team’s new defensive base. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine identified one “perfect” free agent addition for all 32 NFL teams, picking linebacker Quay Walker as a strong fit for the Bills.
Bills May Need to Replace Matt Milano
Ballentine noted that veteran linebacker Matt Milano has lost some of his athleticism as he suffered the normal decline that comes with age and injury. He suggested that Walker could be a good upgrade for the Bills, adding some youth to the linebacking corps.
“Matt Milano showed his age quite often in Buffalo last season. He’s hitting free agency as a soon-to-be 31-year-old whose name recognition is more valuable than his play at this point,” Ballentine wrote.
Milano has been plagued by injury in recent years, appearing in just 21 total games over the last three seasons. He played in 12 games last year, making 67 total tackles with 3.5 sacks.
The Bills will likely undergo some deep evaluation of players as they move away from now-former head coach Sean McDermott’s defense, and Ballentine suggested that Walker would fit their new scheme.
“Landing Quay Walker would give the Bills a younger, more athletic upgrade in the middle of the defense,” Ballentine wrote. “That would allow for an easier transition away from Sean McDermott’s defense in 2026. Walker would be a good running mate for Terrel Bernard, giving them two linebackers in their prime.”
The 25-year-old Walker, a former first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, started 57 games over the last four years and made a total of 469 tackles with 9.0 sacks. He could be a cost-efficient pickup for the Bills, who are cap-strapped and not likely to make many big-money moves.
Bills Plan New ‘Attacking’ Defense
The Bills have already signalled changes under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, a former Bills defensive back who gained a reputation as an aggressive defensive coach. He worked in a 3-4 base alignment with the Denver Broncos, a departure from McDermott’s 4-3 base.
Leonhard said it may be a change for some of the players, but believes they will excel in the new alignment.
“It’s going to be a change for them, but we’re excited as a coaching staff to really be able to create something that is best for their skill sets and fits their personalities,” Leonhard said, via the team’s official website.
Leonhard added that he places a high value on versatility with defensive players, saying he likes what he’s seen on the existing roster.
“I think there is a level of versatility in there that is exciting to think about,” Leonhard said about Buffalo’s roster. “I am big on flexibility and being able to play to your best players and force offenses to try to find your issues and to have to deal with their own problems, not always being reactive.”