Matt Milano & The Bucs
March 15th, 2026
Free agent and former All-Pro Bills linebacker Matt Milano.
A friend of Todd Bowles was not selling the virtues of SirVocea Dennis last week.
Joe is referring to former Bucs scout and former Jets linebackers coach and personnel chief Pat Kirwan. He co-hosts the premier weekday show on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Movin’ The Chains, and often has his buddy Bowles on as a guest.
Last week, a distraught Bucs fan called Kirwan to share angst about how Tampa Bay had only added, at the time, inside linebacker Alex Anzalone to help their defense while a lot of good pass rushers had new teams.
In response, Kirwan suggested inexpensive edge rushers, including who the Bucs eventually signed, Lions castoff Al-Quadin Muhammad. But Kirwan also suggested the Bucs chase veteran inside linebacker Matt Milano to add to the mix with Anzalone.
The latter intrigued Joe. Milano has been injury prone through his nine seasons in Buffalo, but he bounced back last year to play 12 games plus both Bills playoff games. He was a Buffalo captain for years (not recently) and was first-team All-Pro in 2022.
Kirwan seems to think Milano, who turns 32 this summer, wouldn’t be costly on a one-year deal and has something left in the tank.
Milano might be slightly washed, but a study of Bills fan comments shows a consensus that Milano can still play but can’t be counted on. Joe thinks Milano could be a good gamble if Lavonte David retires. In that scenario, the Bucs could have Milano and a rookie fighting for work alongside Anzalone with Dennis taking his rightful place as a full-time special teams player.
One possible factor? Milano played his high school ball in Orlando.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be wiser to get younger rather than chasing a name like Matt Milano. Milano is a good player, but paying veteran money for a linebacker coming off multiple injuries is exactly the kind of short-term move that ages poorly and blocks younger, cheaper talent from developing. If Tampa Bay is serious about resetting the defense, investing in youth and durability is far smarter than overpaying for past production.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:16 pm
Milano and Anzalone would make a great Italian tandem back there
Really sucks about Dennis I was high on him
But I think we still need LVD on the roster
March 15th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
Please draft a young speedy and motivated LB who is a mauler. Milano is great but you said he has had injuries and can’t be counted on.
But Dennis stinks and that is a consensus amongst many fans. He should find his way off the team once we draft a younger better LB
March 15th, 2026 at 8:21 pm
I will assume LVD will make his decision tomorrow or Tuesday?
March 15th, 2026 at 8:22 pm
Me personally,
I like Ohio State Sonny Styles in the first round
If Styles is gone, l like Georgia CJ Allen at 15
I like Jacob Rodriguez in the 2nd round if he’s still there
But it won’t hurt to bring Matt Milano to camp
We need as many quality veterans as we can get
March 15th, 2026 at 8:22 pm
🤣🤣🤣
NASCAR analogy
Entering the race with used tires…
Did you
Do you
Remember the talent in the NFC and AFC Championship games?
We entering the season with scuffs and fill in pit crew
😂
Just popped into my head, not really a NASCAR fan especially these days
March 15th, 2026 at 8:24 pm
A 2023 All-Pro who might be content as the Bucs’ money backer after a pec injury that caused him to lose half a step? Yes, please. Add him to our defense of misfit toys for Bowles’ redemption. I’m not being sarcastic- this dude has my interest but the injury fall-off had me too concerned to make him a target. Depending one the price he could be a home-run addition.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
It was his coverage that made him an All-Pro. Coverage is next to impossible to evaluate year to year even with healthy players but if he is healthy he is a piece of what this defense needs to get legit in the short term.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:29 pm
Do we have to get only washed up over 30yr olds. That shows the fans we don’t want to spend and settle for back up style players is not too exciting going into the new year.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Are all the guys we’re signing on Medicare.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:32 pm
Milano would be intriguing, but too many older players at one position is not ideal. They’re a lot of LB depth in the draft.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:32 pm
But, on the other hand
If Styles is gone at 15
I would have to go with a CB instead of CJ Allen
Either Delane or Terrell, Delane would probably be lone gone
But it would be great if we can get Delane or Terrell.
And get Jacob Rodriguez in round 2
March 15th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Old, injury prone. Pass.
We need players that can contribute into the future, not more guys who are well passed their prime & preparing for retirement.
What will this be, SVDs 2nd full season playing ?
You guys write people off pretty quickly around here. He may have struggled at times but he also had 101 tackles, 3 sacks, and a pick. I’m rooting for the guy to improve and contribute more on D.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:38 pm
I would keep SVD, he’s a good ILB
He just need to work on his coverage skills
He may be working on his coverage skills as we speak
March 15th, 2026 at 8:46 pm
I’d sign Milano in a heartbeat.He would be an upgrade over anyone we have at the LB spot.He covers TEs as good as anyone in the league
March 15th, 2026 at 8:49 pm
SVD did better than Milano on way more snaps except in coverage. SVD really needs to step his game up there.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:54 pm
There’s nothing wrong with bringing Matt Milano to camp
We need to bring quality veterans to camp to compete with the young guys
These young players have been getting a free pass, jobs handed to them
Make them earn their job in camp
March 15th, 2026 at 8:54 pm
Lakeland must be an escaped mental patient.
Bowles is too dumb to cut SVD.
He’ll be back in the fold in 2026.
#SuperBowles
March 15th, 2026 at 8:55 pm
How does a pec injury make you lose a step? Or do you mean because of lack of exercise during rehab
March 15th, 2026 at 9:01 pm
I’m about tired of all these 30+ year olds and they’re 1 or 2 year deals. Those are band-aids, not ways to build a team.
March 15th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Lakeland … ‘I would keep SVD, he’s a good ILB’.
I don’t consider him to be a particularly good ILB, but I’d keep him anyways. He’s in his 4th year, and I seriously doubt that the Bucs will offer him a second contract next year. But right now he’s cheap ($1.2 mil), has experience in Bowles’ defense (got 910 def snaps in 16 games last season), and has some value in a S/Ts role and as a backup ILB.
Bucs need to draft TWO ILBs this year IMO, not just one. This is the year of the ILB, and we can get 2 good ones in the Top 4-5 Rnds. Reality says that Reese & Styles won’t be there when we pick (#15), but there are a LOT of good ILBs after them this year.
o Rnd 1-2: Georgia’s CJ Allen (6’1″ & 230 lbs).
o Rnd 2-3: Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriquez (6’1″ & 237 lbs).
o Rnd 2-3: Texas’ Anthony Hill (6’3″ & 235 lbs).
o Rnd 3-5: Cincinnati’s Jake Golday (6’4″ & 240 lbs).
o Rnd 3-5: Arizona State’s Keyshaun Elliott (6’2″ & 235 lbs).
o Rnd 3-5: Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham (6’3″ & 248 lbs).
o Rnd 3-5: Arkansas’ Xavien Sorey (6’2″ & 228 lbs).
o Rnd 3-5: Utah’s Lander Barton (6’5″ & 233 lbs).
That’s 8 reasonable prospects between Rnds 1-5, and there may well be more after that. We should be able to get Allen, Rodriquez or Hill in Rnds 1 or 2. And surely 1 of the other 5 will be available to us in say Rnds 4-5 after that.
And interesting point is that some of those ILBs have the size to also play OLB (and did in fact play it some in college). Draft one highly-rated ILB to pair with Anzalone, and take a chance on another in Rnds 4-5 let’s say.
March 15th, 2026 at 9:10 pm
Todd Bowles and Jason Licht is basically on a one year deal
If they don’t win in 2026, they’re not guaranteed to be back
These 30+ veterans give you your best chance of winning Now
Bowles and Licht would be out of their minds to rely on young players
They need a mix of youth and experience
These old heads bring experience to the table
Experience is more valuable than youth to a HC with his job on the line
They know what they are doing. I would do the exact same thing
March 15th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
Milano would be a great signing if LVD decides to retire
March 15th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
I believe it is always possible to build a winner, if you have a quarterback and a good OL. Defense can be schemed with the right coach.
So it is foolish imo to accept rebuilding by drafting young guys only. You still draft them, but you can build a serviceable team with old free agents.
It’s pie in the sky to think you are going to get a 20-something starter from free agency unless they have medical issues or personality issues.
March 15th, 2026 at 9:13 pm
Yeah, we should really listen to the personnel expert from the …..wait for it……Jets. Got it.
March 15th, 2026 at 9:14 pm
Defense Rules
This draft is loaded with defensive talent
I can’t wait for to get here
March 15th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Pat Kirwan was famous for turning in the draft card to draft Bo Jackson
I guess that put him on the map
March 15th, 2026 at 9:45 pm
Part of me thinks Bucs won’t make a move on LVD till after the draft.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Was Dennis just terrible, or did Bowles put him in terrible positions to try to cover somebody that was physically impossible to do? I’ve seen Bowles have many examples of putting his players in terrible positions, and having an overall wonky defense.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:05 pm
Hard pass.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:06 pm
If LVD comes back, I say we make a run at Bobby Wagner, he never misses a game and can still play. If LVD doesn’t return I say we go after Bobby Okereke.
Even then I wouldn’t be opposed to drafting 2 LBs in the Draft, 1st round, you draft best available regardless of position. But would have no qualms landing both
Jacob Rodriquez and Keyshaun Elliott in the later rounds.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:21 pm
Joe,
I’d like to see Sydney Sweeney in a Bucs uniform. Instead, they give us Dan Feeney.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:22 pm
They are not gonna sign anyone young or long term because the rebuild starts after this upcoming season.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:24 pm
I’m not as high as most on CJ Allen as most because he is a pure downhill LB- he’ll blow up a DT one on one but he can’t turn and run, let alone turn and burn which is something this scheme demands of its ILBs. Flopping zone triangles without creating a bust or picking up RBs and TEs in man is beyond Allen’s ceiling so he isn’t worth much to me.
Same goes for Jacob Rodriguez, he can redirect from full speed to the ball like a heat-seeking missile with 4 arms, I love that, but he can’t turn and run and doesn’t have the jets to trigger quickly downfield let alone upfield so he gets a kind round three grade from me at best due to his upfield-downfield being no where near his sideline-to-sideline and his T-Rex arms which will be an issue at the NFL level. Borderline UDFA TEs busted on him at the Senior Bowl. Check their social media.
Anthony Hill Jr, on the other hand is the one LB I would take in rounds 1-3. I’d take him over Reese because he is the most pro-ready ILB with outside potential in this draft. Look how he moves pre-snap. Other LBs in his words are “look-ball! get ball!!!” but he is always working, observing, fronting, flexing-getting into a QB’s head like a dangerous base runner works on a pitcher.
This defense needs talent that is pro ready and more tuned to the state of the game than Bowles. Hill Jr. is the best draft start but the Bucs need two from this bumper crop. Golday is a step down from Hill Jr. but he wrecked spit with David Walker at Central Arkansas for a couple years before he replicated that alone in Cincy so I’m interested. After that, wait until day three and grab Lander Barton or Eric Gentry, both are pterosaurs but have better hips than CJ Allen.
And don’t forget the true ILB savior, UDFA AJ Peña. He, like David, is a natural 4-3 Will but can feast inside with flex in a 3-4 as well.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:32 pm
Let’s face it, the best player available is going to be TE from Oregon. No one drafting above us should be taking him. How does that fit in our rebuilding strategy for 2027? Do we draft him even though we just resigned Cade? Or do we draft BPA for our biggest current need , Edge or ILB? Thoughts?
March 15th, 2026 at 11:15 pm
@BigBoiBuc
Don’t be surprised if KC considers Sadiq. Who knows how much longer Kelce is gonna be playing & he might be done next year. They’re gonna need somebody else. Unless they let that Gray take over whenever Kelce does decide to retire.
March 15th, 2026 at 11:15 pm
BigBioBuc- that’s the dream scenario where the Bucs get a trade-back. His testing is tempting but the Bucs don’t do well with projects on either side of the ball and brought back Otten. The Eagles, however, need a TE in the worst way. Other teams may be hot enough for him to make a very favorable trade as well. He is most valuable as #15 trade bait to the Bucs.
March 15th, 2026 at 11:21 pm
Bring Milano in. If he’s good in coverage, he could be a 3rd down ILB. Bobby Wagner is out there and he’s still a good run stopper but not nearly as good in coverage. George Allen would be smiling if the Bucs have the oldest ILB room in the NFL!
March 15th, 2026 at 11:27 pm
Just because no splash signing has been made yet in free agency, why not make one in the draft. Moved up to take Wirfs in 2020, let’s move up and take Sonny Styles. If Licht is on borrowed time along with Bowles as some suggest, what does he have to lose? Keeping all his draft picks does him no good if he’s not even here.
March 15th, 2026 at 11:36 pm
Yeah JimBobBuc I remember those days. Myron Pottios, Jack Pardee and Chris Hanburger at linebacker for the ‘skins. Old as hell but tough as nails!
March 15th, 2026 at 11:44 pm
Styles will be gone in the first 8 picks IMO.
March 15th, 2026 at 11:48 pm
We could put LVD out there also and have the nursing home of LB
March 16th, 2026 at 12:31 am
Just what this team needs…another injury-prone player who cannot be relied on. I can’t believe this is even being suggested.