The Buffalo Bills are moving into their next major offseason phase in due time: training camp.
The Bills will kick off their 2025 training camp on July 23 at St. John Fisher University. As with every offseason, Bills Wire will examine each position group ahead of this pivotal time on the football calendar.
Our 2025 linebackers preview can be found below:
At the top
Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano lead the charge for the middle of the Bills defense.
Bernard, coming off a 104-tackle season, earned a contract extension. Bernard signed a four-year, $42 million deal to remain as Buffalo’s starting middle linebacker. Bernard has ascended quickly after taking over the reins from Tremaine Edmunds in 2023. Bernard missed four games last year due to a pectoral injury.
Milano, a 2022 first-team All-Pro, is returning from consecutive injury-plagued seasons.
After tearing his ACL in 2023, Milano injured his biceps in 2024. All told, Milano has been on the field for only nine games over the past two seasons. Milano returned to form during the playoffs, registering 17 total tackles and two sacks throughout the 2024 postseason.
Depth chart
Incumbents Joe Andreessen and Baylon Spector fit behind Bernard on the depth chart. Andresseen has worked as a special teams ace and has received praise from the defensive staff since he made the squad as a UDFA last year.
Dorian Williams filled in admirably for Milano last season. Williams registered 117 tackles last year to lead the Bills. Williams can also play in place of Bernard, making him an invaluable depth piece for Buffalo.
Free agent signee Shaq Thompson, 2024 day-three pick Ededuan Olofoshio, and UDFA Keonta Jenkins as depth pieces for the linebacker room.
In 2025…
The Bills missed a great deal of man games from this unit last year, as both Bernard and Milano missed time due to injuries. The duo is essential to the success of Buffalo’s defense, as both Milano and Bernard are above-average players in all facets of defense. The hope is that Bernard can become an elite player within this defense. Entering his fourth season, Bernard will be relied upon to lead this defense.
The Bills restructured Milano’s contract. When on the field, he is one of the best linebackers in the game. However, the multitude of missed time led the Bills to revisit his contract status. With a one-year deal, Milano is entering a prove-it situation for Buffalo. If Milano has another season filled with injuries, it will probably be his final in Western New York.
Buffalo feels confident in Williams filling in at either linebacker spot.
We are going to look at the glass half-full for Buffalo’s 2025 outlook. Bernard will have a stellar season as a central figure of the Bills defense and show that he is worth every penny of his new deal. Bernard is going to get some love from the national media and earn a Pro-Bowl nod.
Keeping things looking positive: Milano will play at least 15 games for the first time since 2022. He might not return to his Pro Bowl form, but his presence on the field will help catapult the Bills into top-five defense contention.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Previewing 2025 NFL Buffalo Bills training camp at linebacker