Matt Milano Bio
Matthew Vincent Milano is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 28, 1994, in Commack, New York, he developed into one of the league’s most respected defensive players after being selected by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. A 2022 First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, Milano has built a reputation as a reliable tackler and coverage linebacker.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 223 pounds, Milano combines instincts and physicality at the linebacker position. He has spent his entire NFL career in Buffalo, becoming a central figure in the team’s defense and one of the most productive defenders in Bills history.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Vincent Milano was born in Commack, New York, to Janet and Mike Milano, and grew up alongside his siblings, Gina and Michael. Although born on Long Island, Milano later moved with his family to the Orlando, Florida, area, where he attended Dr. Phillips High School. There, he played defensive back for the Panthers football program and steadily developed into one of the team’s most productive players.
During his high school career, Milano earned team, district, and conference honors between his junior and senior seasons, and was named team captain during the 2012 season. As a senior, he was recognized as his team’s Defensive Player of the Year after recording 100 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and three sacks. He graduated in 2013.
Coming out of high school, Milano was rated as a three-star linebacker recruit by 247Sports and Rivals.com. He chose to attend Boston College over scholarship offers from Air Force, Arizona, Bowling Green, Miami (Ohio), and Stony Brook.
Path to Professional Football
Milano joined the Boston College Eagles in 2013 and quickly earned a role on the field as a true freshman. Across 13 games in his debut season, he recorded five tackles, including four solo stops, while working into the defensive rotation. By his sophomore year, Milano had become a regular contributor on an Eagles defense that ranked second in the nation in 2014, logging 18 tackles and appearing in close to 300 plays.
As a junior in 2015, Milano started 11 of 12 games at strong side linebacker and received multiple conference honorable mentions. His senior season proved to be his most accomplished at the college level, as he played all 13 games, finished with 58 tackles, including 41 unassisted, and was awarded the William J. Flynn Most Valuable Player honor. At Boston College, Milano majored in applied psychology and human development.
Matt Milano Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The Buffalo Bills selected Milano in the fifth round, 163rd overall, of the 2017 NFL draft, using a pick acquired from the New England Patriots. He signed a four-year, $2.66 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $261,506. After competing for a starting job during training camp, Milano opened his rookie year as a backup weakside linebacker behind veteran Ramon Humber.
Milano earned his first career start on October 8, 2017, against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording four combined tackles. Later that month, he recorded his first career interception off a pass attempt by Jameis Winston in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he returned a fumble for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. He finished his rookie season with 49 combined tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery in 16 games and five starts. In 2018, Milano delivered a strong Week 3 performance against the Minnesota Vikings, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, but a broken fibula ended his second season prematurely.
NFL Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Healthy again in 2019, Milano posted a career-high 100 combined tackles to go with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble across 15 starts, helping Buffalo return to the playoffs. He recorded a game-high 12 tackles in the AFC Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans, though Buffalo ultimately fell in overtime.
After battling a pectoral injury in 2020, Milano returned to action and appeared in 10 games, finishing with 3.5 sacks, 45 total tackles, and an interception, while also starting all three of the Bills’ postseason games. In March 2021, Milano signed a four-year, $44 million contract extension with the Bills. That season, he produced 86 total tackles, three sacks, a career-high 15 tackles for loss, and five passes defended as Buffalo captured the AFC East title.
Buffalo Bills Era (2022–Present)
Milano enjoyed his most decorated professional season in 2022, finishing with 1.5 sacks, 99 total tackles, three interceptions, and 11 passes defended. He added 20 combined tackles and three sacks across two playoff games and was named First-team All-Pro. He also earned a selection to the 2023 Pro Bowl Games and was ranked 69th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.
On March 12, 2023, Milano signed a two-year extension keeping him under contract through the 2026 season. A fractured leg sustained in October 2023 cut his third season short, and a torn biceps suffered in August 2024 sidelined him for a portion of the 2024 campaign, though he returned to play in three postseason games. In March 2025, Milano and the Bills restructured his contract, reducing his base pay by $3 million while adding potential incentives.
Playing Style and Strengths
Milano is recognized for his football intelligence, sure tackling, and ability to thrive in coverage. A linebacker who excels against the pass as well as the run, he diagnoses plays quickly and delivers firm contact at the point of attack, qualities that have allowed him to remain a key piece of Buffalo’s defense throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Milano’s career include his first career interception off Jameis Winston in 2017, an AFC Defensive Player of the Week award following a standout 2018 game against the Minnesota Vikings, and a dominant 2022 campaign that earned him First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition. His overtime defensive stand against the Houston Texans in the 2019 playoffs also remains one of the most memorable moments of his tenure.
Matt Milano Career Statistics
Across his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills, Milano has compiled more than 570 combined tackles, 14 sacks, 10 interceptions, 39 pass deflections, 11 fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most productive linebackers in franchise history.
NFL Highlights
Milano has recorded 14 career sacks, 10 interceptions, and 39 passes defended since entering the league in 2017. His first career interception came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017, while his most decorated season came in 2022, when he earned First-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection. He has been a regular postseason contributor as well, logging tackles and sacks in multiple AFC playoff runs.
Other Performances
At the college level, Milano appeared in 50 games for the Boston College Eagles, finishing his senior year as the William J. Flynn Most Valuable Player. In high school, he recorded 100 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and three sacks during his senior season at Dr. Phillips High School.
Matt Milano Family
Family Background
Matt Milano was born to Mike and Janet Milano and grew up alongside his siblings, Gina and Michael. His family later moved from Commack, New York, to the Orlando, Florida, area, where he attended Dr. Phillips High School and developed into a top recruit.
Personal Life
Milano has spent the majority of his professional career in the Buffalo area following his selection by the Bills in 2017. He is a U.S. citizen by birth and remains active in the Western New York community through his role with the team.
2025 Season Performance
Matt Milano entered the 2025 NFL season under a restructured contract that included a $3 million pay reduction offset by potential incentives. Healthy and available for the full campaign, he remained a starting linebacker for the Bills and continued to play a leading role in coordinator Leslie Frazier’s defensive scheme.
Through the 2025 season, Milano recorded 3.5 sacks and 67 total tackles, adding production as both a pass rusher and a run defender. His steady play helped anchor a Bills defense that once again competed for an AFC East title and a deep playoff push.
Looking ahead, Milano is scheduled to enter free agency following the 2025 season, leaving his long-term future in Buffalo uncertain. With another year of high-level production on his resume, he remains a respected veteran presence in the Bills’ locker room and a candidate to be one of the more sought-after linebackers available during the offseason.
