Can former Packers linebacker Christian Kirksey replace Matt Milano in Buffalo?
Matt Milano is going to test free agency, and the Bills are prepared he will likely land a nice contract elsewhere. The going market for a player like Milano right now is about 13 million per year.
With the current state of the salary cap in the NFL, the Bills maybe forced to sign a cheaper player than Milano or draft a young player. Last year, the Buffalo Bills had a ton of interest in Christian Kirksey, but they did not land him.
Kirksey the former Iowa Hawkeye linebacker decided to sign with the Packers on a 2 year deal worth 13 million dollars. This week the Packers released Kirksey after he failed a physical, according to reports.
Kirksey (6-2, 235) started all 11 regular-season games he appeared in during his one year with the Packers, finishing tied for No. 2 on the team with 78 tackles (47 solo).
He also saw action in both postseason contests with one start.
Kirksey was originally selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round (No. 71 overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa.
Over seven seasons with the Browns, he played in 73 games with 54 starts, registering 463 tackles (289 solo), 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, 16 passes defended, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Kirksey served as a team captain for three years (2017-19).
Last season Matt Milano was in fact injured but both Kirksey and Milano are very similar. Kirksey would be a stop gap linebacker, but he could be a very solid addition.
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