Matt Milano & The Bucs
March 15th, 2026
Free agent and former All-Pro Bills linebacker Matt Milano.
A friend of Todd Bowles was not selling the virtues of SirVocea Dennis last week.
Joe is referring to former Bucs scout and former Jets linebackers coach and personnel chief Pat Kirwan. He co-hosts the premier weekday show on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Movin’ The Chains, and often has his buddy Bowles on as a guest.
Last week, a distraught Bucs fan called Kirwan to share angst about how Tampa Bay had only added, at the time, inside linebacker Alex Anzalone to help their defense while a lot of good pass rushers had new teams.
In response, Kirwan suggested inexpensive edge rushers, including who the Bucs eventually signed, Lions castoff Al-Quadin Muhammad. But Kirwan also suggested the Bucs chase veteran inside linebacker Matt Milano to add to the mix with Anzalone.
The latter intrigued Joe. Milano has been injury prone through his nine seasons in Buffalo, but he bounced back last year to play 12 games plus both Bills playoff games. He was a Buffalo captain for years (not recently) and was first-team All-Pro in 2022.
Kirwan seems to think Milano, who turns 32 this summer, wouldn’t be costly on a one-year deal and has something left in the tank.
Milano might be slightly washed, but a study of Bills fan comments shows a consensus that Milano can still play but can’t be counted on. Joe thinks Milano could be a good gamble if Lavonte David retires. In that scenario, the Bucs could have Milano and a rookie fighting for work alongside Anzalone with Dennis taking his rightful place as a full-time special teams player.
One possible factor? Milano played his high school ball in Orlando.