The Buffalo Bills have been battered by injuries this season, leading to their status as Super Bowl contenders being called into question by many.
All of those injuries have stung, but none more so than the broken leg suffered by All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano, the heart and soul of the defense. Even with the emergence of second-year linebacker Terrel Bernard, Milano's presence in the middle of the field is one that can't be replicated.
If the Bills want to reach their championship goals, though, then they must at least try to replace Milano. With the trade deadline just a few days away, Buffalo still has a chance to bring in some added guns. The Bills have been linked to several linebackers leading up to the deadline. And according to Randy Mueller of The Athletic, the Bills landing Denver Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell via trade is a deal he’d like to see be made.
"Denver inside linebacker Josey Jewell, at age 29 and in the last year of a contract, makes some sense as a rental for the rest of this season," Mueller wrote . "Broncos coach Sean Payton has made it clear he will listen to any and all offers. Jewell is a steady traffic cop who can get everyone lined up and has consistently shown a very good nose for the ball. And he might have a calming effect on a group that is reeling right now."
A 2018 fourth-round pick, Jewell has been a consistent bright spot for an underwhelming Broncos team. The former Iowa Hawkeye is coming off a career season in which he recorded 128 total tackles while being a centerpiece for a strong Denver defense.
While the Broncos' defense has cratered this year to become arguably the worst in the league, largely owing to a 70-20 loss against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, Jewell has held up decently with 43 total tackles. With the Bills' lackluster depth at middle linebacker after Milano's injury, it may be a good idea to check in with the Broncos on a potential trade for Jewell.
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