Matt Milano, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills looks on during minicamp.
The Los Angeles Rams struck gold with Nate Landman in free agency last season, and could get another impactful addition this offseason with Matt Milano.
Milano was a Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro in 2022.
He remains available in free agency after reworking his contract to remain with the Buffalo Bills last offseason. He could be part of what the Rams hope is a push to another Super Bowl win this coming season.
Rams Pushed to Sign Ex-Bills Star Matt Milano
Matt Milano
GettyMatt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins.
The Rams reached the NFC Championship Game this past season and were in the game until the bitter end, so drastic changes are not needed. However, the Rams made one anyway, trading for Trent McDuffie, and could make another splash with less financial risk at stake.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles noted the Rams “don’t really have a single hole” on their roster at this stage of the offseason.
That does not mean Milano could not contribute in a significant way, upgrading their group.
“Dropping a versatile, impact linebacker weapon into the defense could make it almost unfair,” Pereles wrote on March 23. “Nate Landman has done a nice job for Los Angeles, but upgrades never hurt. Hill would put the linebacker corps at an entirely different level athletically and help Chris Shula really release a bevy of looks and calls.”
Milano turns 32 in July. He had 67 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble for the Bills this past season. He has 571 combined stops, 14.0 sacks, 11 fumble recoveries, 10 INTs, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 defensive touchdowns in his career. That underscores his playmaking ability.
Milano is coming off a one-year, $6.3 million renegotiated contract and has earned $61.1 million in his career. Spotrac projected a one-year, $4.6 million pact for Milano.
The Rams have the cap space, but also reasons to explore other options besides Milano.
Rams LB Room Productive
Nate Landman, Los Angeles Rams
GettyNate Landman #53 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Rams have been known for bargain-hunting at off-ball linebacker, especially in recent seasons. That led the Rams to Landman and would seemingly be good news for Milano.
However, the Rams have been successful at finding those diamonds in the rough, such as Landman. Landman set career-highs with 132 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries, and 1 interception. The former Atlanta Falcon also started every game for the Rams.
A move for Milano could signal a lack of confidence in a repeat performance.
It could also be a knock on former undrafted free agent find Omar Speights. He started 16 games during the regular season and 26 of the 33 games he has played as a pro.
Milano has durability concerns, missing multiple games in each of the past three seasons due to injuries. He has never played a full slate as a starter, and has not done it at all since his rookie campaign in 2017.
A fifth-round pick of the Bills in 2017, Milano would be an intriguing add for the Rams.
However, they have done well to position themselves in a position of strength regarding that spot on the roster with Landman and Speights at the top rather than needing to pursue Milano.