With the fifth-round (163rd overall) pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Matt Milano, who entered the league as a converted safety and stepped directly into Sean McDermott’s defensive system. Over nine seasons in Buffalo, Milano evolved into the vital, sideline-to-sideline core of the Bills' linebacker corps.

Milano relied on DB-caliber movement skills, processing speed, and closing acceleration. Operating primarily as an off-ball weakside linebacker (WILL), his defining strength was his range in coverage—matching up with tight ends down seam routes, closing down screen passes before they could blossom, and triggering downhill in the run game to scrape through interior gaps.

Milano reached the peak of his career in 2022, putting together one of the most complete off-ball linebacker seasons in modern franchise history. Playing in 15 games, he registered 99 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 11 passes defensed, three interceptions (including a pick-six against Tennessee), and two fumble recoveries. His play earned him First-Team All-Pro honors and his first career Pro Bowl selection.

Despite facing mid-career injury setbacks—including a fractured leg in 2023 and a torn bicep in 2024—Milano remained a key leader on defense, battling back to log 12 starts in 2025. Through the 2025 season, Milano played in 106 regular-season games (85 starts) for Buffalo, accumulating 571 total tackles (374 solo), 14.0 sacks, 62 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, 39 passes defensed, 11 fumble recoveries, and four forced fumbles.