The Buffalo Bills head into the 2026 offseason with a clear directive: get tougher on defense, especially at linebacker. With four players at the position set to hit free agency, the need is glaring - and the most notable name among them, Matt Milano, may not be in the team’s future plans.
Milano started all 12 games he played last season, but injuries and inconsistent play have raised questions about his long-term viability. At this point, Buffalo can’t afford to keep banking on him as a foundational piece. That leaves the Bills staring at a potential starting duo of Dorian Williams and Terrel Bernard - a pairing that, frankly, doesn’t strike fear into opposing offenses.
Bernard has had trouble staying healthy, and neither player has shown enough to suggest they’re ready to anchor a defense with Super Bowl aspirations. What Buffalo needs is a steady, experienced presence in the middle - someone who can elevate the unit both on the field and in the locker room.
That’s where Bobby Wagner enters the conversation.
Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron sees Buffalo as an ideal landing spot for the veteran linebacker, who’s coming off a strong season with the Washington Commanders. Spotrac projects Wagner’s market value at around $7.7 million for a one-year deal - a price that could be well worth it for a team trying to shore up its front seven.
Wagner may be 35, but he’s still playing at an elite level in key areas. This past season, he was the only linebacker in the league to post 90.0-plus grades in run defense (90.3), pass rushing (92.4), and tackling (90.5), per PFF. That’s not just good - that’s rare air.
And it’s exactly what the Bills need.
Buffalo’s run defense was a liability in 2025, finishing 28th in rushing success rate allowed (33.1%). The linebacking corps played a big role in that, with a 27.3% negatively graded run-play rate - ranking 30th in the league. That’s a problem, and it’s one Wagner could help solve immediately.
Even if Washington wants to bring him back, there’s no guarantee it happens. Commanders GM Adam Peters has made it clear the team wants to get “younger and faster,” which could leave Wagner looking for a new home. If that’s the case, Buffalo should be on the phone.
Wagner’s performance last season speaks for itself. He ranked fifth among all linebackers in run defense, second in pass rushing, and seventh overall. He’s not the same coverage linebacker he was in his prime, but he still brings a high floor and a wealth of experience to a unit that desperately needs both.
For a Bills team that’s still in win-now mode, adding Wagner would be more than just a short-term fix - it would be a statement. A move that says: We’re not just trying to patch holes. We’re trying to build a championship defense.
Whether or not it happens remains to be seen. But the fit? It makes a whole lot of sense.