Buffalo Bills Links, 2/20: Matt Milano to test free agency

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Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

Plus, what the Bills need to do to bolster their rushing attack.

In today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, the Bills have 16 unrestricted free agents heading into the offseason, and we dissect the news that one of the biggest names on that list, linebacker Matt Milano, is expected to test out free agency when the new NFL league year begins on March 17.

Continuing with the defensive side of the football, we analyze the state of the edge rushers and highlight why bringing in talented pass rushers is a top priority this offseason. We discuss whether the Bills should sign free agent pass rusher J.J. Watt, whose name has often been linked to Buffalo, and offer up a potential younger, more productive version of Watt for the Bills to pursue in free agency in Carl Lawson.

We dive into what ailed the Bills’ ground game in 2020, analyze the performances of Devin Singletary and Zack Moss, speculate on whether the team needs to add to the running back room, offer up ways for Buffalo to improve its ground game in 2021, hear how linebacker Tyrel Dodson is giving back to storm victims in Houston, and much more!

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LB Matt Milano Wants to Explore Free Agency

Report: Matt Milano will test free agency - WGR 550
According to a report from John Wawrow of the Associated Press, linebacker Matt Milano is expected to test the free agent market once the new NFL league year opens on Wednesday, March 17.

AP source: Buffalo Bills LB Matt Milano to test free agency
Starting linebacker Matt Milano will explore free agency next month because of Buffalo’s salary-cap constraints, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.

Bills’ Matt Milano to test free agency, linebacker’s tenure in Buffalo likely coming to a close, per report - CBSSports.com
Milano was a fifth-round pick by Buffalo in 2017.

State of the Bills: Edge Rushers

Bills position series: Upgrading edge rusher high offseason priority | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The Buffalo Bills failed to take the fullest advantage of their dynamic passing offense because their defense didn’t do enough to defuse opposing passing attacks.

Should Buffalo Sign Edge Rushers J.J. Watt or Carl Lawson?

J.J. Watt and the Bills: It can work on the field, financially — but does it make sense? – The Athletic
What version of J.J. Watt would the Bills be getting in 2021? Is signing him worth losing some of the players they likely would? (Subscription required).

Carl Lawson should be atop Bills’ pass rush wish list - WGR 550
Buffalo Bills fans are obsessing over the possibility of signing J.J. Watt, but Sneaky Joe makes the case for the team targeting free agent pass rusher Carl Lawson this offseason.

How to Fix the Ground Game

Why Bills run game was frustrating and how they can fix it – The Athletic
Are the Buffalo Bills’ running backs solely to blame, or is there a more significant problem within the offense? (Subscription required).

Bills Tight Against Salary Cap

Bills in unfamiliar spot in terms of AFC East salary cap | 13 WHAM TV
Even with the NFL announcing the salary cap will be a minimum of $180 million in 2021, the Bills don’t have a lot of flexibility to work with.

Bump of NFL’s cap floor doesn’t change belt-tightening picture for Bills | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The Buffalo Bills and the rest of the NFL teams won’t be looking at the worst-case scenario on the salary cap for the 2021 season.

Odds and Ends

Bills Mailbag: When looking at AFC threats, QB comparison favors Bills | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The NFL Scouting Combine that normally starts this week is another victim of the pandemic. Nevertheless there’s plenty to chew on as the NFL readies for free agency next month.

5 things to watch for as NFL teams build rosters in the 2021 offseason - BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown shares what he’s learned from a host of national analysts heading into the 2021 NFL offseason. Expect it to be quite different.

NFL Draft 2021: Bills had ‘real good meeting’ with Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu at Senior Bowl - newyorkupstate.com
Melifonwu could be a target for the Bills at No. 30.

Bills linebacker Tyrel Dodson donates meals to help storm victims in Houston | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“I’ve been trying to find ways to help Texas because Texas is a big part of me because of college,” Dodson told The News on Friday.

Butch Byrd: “I realized the impact” - BuffaloBills.com
Former Bills DB and two-time AFL champion Butch Byrd looked back on the 1965 AFL All-Star Game boycott and how black players answered prejudice by voting to leave the city of New Orleans.

Bills Today | Buffalo students can win a chance to meet Zack Moss via this contest - BuffaloBills.com
Plus, wide receiver Gabriel Davis was coached by a former Bills tight end in high school.

Bills support Black Restaurant Week with donations to local non-profit organizations - BuffaloBills.com
The Bills are helping to shine a light on Buffalo’s black-owned businesses during Black History Month.

Featured on Buffalo Rumblings

Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano will test free agency, per report - Buffalo Rumblings
John Wawrow of the Associated Press is reporting that Buffalo Bills free agent linebacker Matt Milano is expected to test free agency when the league year opens next month.

State of the Buffalo Bills’ roster: Running backs - Buffalo Rumblings
To add talent or promote from within?

The Bruce Exclusive: where do we quarterback from here? - Buffalo Rumblings
For the first time, I’m mostly talking about backup QB.

Revisiting our 2020 Buffalo Bills predictions - Buffalo Rumblings
How did the Rumblings staff do with their predictions?

Let’s check in on the QB draft class of 2018 - Buffalo Rumblings
Stop me if you’ve heard this once (or 218 times) before: I was wrong about Josh Allen.

Buff Hub: Beane Season - Buffalo Rumblings
Featuring Dan Mitchell, we tackle the topics still floating over Bills fans. Can this offseason work in the Bills’ favor? Are the factors beginning to snowball out of control?

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