Buffalo Plus: You Ask, We Answer – Milano's Future, D-Line Issues & Cook's Payday
Date: March 23, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell
Key topics: Bills’ defensive line depth, suspensions, Matt Milano’s future, James Cook’s contract outlook, Christian Benford’s payday, and the Stefan Diggs rumor mill.
Main Theme
This "You Ask, We Answer" episode dives deep into Buffalo Bills roster questions, focusing on changes and challenges facing the team during the 2025 offseason. The hosts take on fan-submitted questions about D-line suspensions, Matt Milano’s future, James Cook’s possible “payday,” and swirling rumors about player movement—delivering insight with authentic Bills beat experience and signature playful banter.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. D-Line Suspensions: How Big of a Problem?
[02:20 – 07:24]
- Context: Both Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht are facing six-game suspensions at the start of the 2025 season.
- Mike Catalana:
- "Yeah, you’re damn right they’re going to [impact the team]. ...this is six weeks for each guy who are going to be members of that rotation." [02:29]
- Stresses that there’s no one who can take 75%+ of D-line snaps à la “Miles Garrett.” Bosa used to be that guy but now struggles with injuries.
- Roster impact: Bills’ pass rush already wasn’t strong enough. Forced to sign rotation players or hope young draftees step up.
- “There’s a lot of football in six weeks.” [04:37]
- Jenna Cottrell:
- Raises questions about defensive philosophy/set-up during training camp, since the suspended players can participate then, but will have to leave, rejoin later.
- Questions whether the Bills will, or even can, squeeze those two players to take less money due to their missed time.
Memorable Exchange:
Mike: "It's not two weeks, it's not three weeks, it's four, it's six weeks, Jenna. So if these two were obviously going to be part of that rotation of the front seven..." [06:19]
2. Defensive Line Roster Planning & Depth
[07:24 – 09:11]
- Mike: Outlines that the team will likely have to bring in more veterans and draft well, as there's a realistic chance that early-season snaps go to rookies or less proven players.
- Critical of Brandon Beane for the timing and fallout from earlier personnel moves (like holding onto Kair Elam, which ultimately hurt them in a crucial playoff game when he was forced to play and underperformed).
Quote:
"You ended up having to play him in the most important game of the year because you didn’t dump him earlier and he played and he got roasted and you didn’t go to the Super Bowl. Like, these things come back to bite you in the ass." — Mike Catalana, [08:01]
3. Matt Milano’s Contract: The End of an Era?
[10:41 – 13:50]
- Fan Q: Will Matt Milano get traded after his pay cut and contract rework?
- Mike:
- “No, I don’t think he’s going to get traded.” [10:55]
- Predicts 2025 is Milano’s last year in Buffalo even if he performs well, citing age (turning 32) and the NFL’s business realities.
- Uncertainty about Milano’s ability to stay healthy for a full season is the primary concern.
- Jenna:
- Recognizes Milano as a core culture guy, an original McDermott draft pick, and fan favorite. Says the restructure signals a graceful path for moving on after this year.
Quote:
"It’s the constant reminder that this is a business. ...The National Football League is not for long." — Jenna Cottrell, [13:50]
4. Will Von Miller Return?
[14:43 – 15:48]
- Brief speculation that Von Miller could return due to suspensions, but both agree there isn't much market for him, and he may land somewhere like Baltimore, a team where aging stars often go.
- “He could walk in and play ... He just feels like he’s going to end up on the Ravens.” — Mike, [15:03]
5. James Cook’s Payday & Running Back Market
[15:49 – 17:27]
- Fan Q: Can James Cook do enough to “earn himself that $15 million” contract, especially with Ty Johnson re-signing?
- Mike:
- "There is going to be nothing preventing James Cook from showing the Bills he can do those things." [16:14]
- The money isn’t the barrier—Cook needs to show improvement in pass protection, catching, and reliability in key moments.
- Team’s postseason trust in Cook is low (reference: Ty Johnson over Cook in critical Chiefs game spot).
- Doubts Bills will ever be a team to pay a RB $15M/season, especially with new market trends (Barkley’s deal).
6. Christian Benford & Rising Cornerback Market
[17:27 – 19:04]
- Fan Q: Can the Bills afford Benford with CB paydays hitting $30M (post-Derek Stingley deal)?
- Mike:
- Benford could see a big payday if he continues to ascend, but $30M is likely out of range unless he has a breakout, interception-heavy season.
- “When you find that guy, you pay them. ...If the Bills aren’t willing to, he’ll play it out and see what’s out there.” [18:39]
- Franchise tag not likely; Bills typically don’t use it.
7. Commentary on League Rosters, Recency Bias & Contracts
[19:10 – 20:49]
- Discussion about other teams’ roster building—Bengals' investing big money in WRs while neglecting defense/O-line, contrasts with Eagles' balanced approach.
- Call-out: “It’s not about signing those players. ...It’s not like ... the Eagles have both receivers paid, but they have the offensive and defensive line.” — Mike, [20:17]
8. The Stefan Diggs Saga: Will He Return?
[20:50 – 25:04]
- Fan Q: After Diggs’ social media activity (adding Bills pics back) and visit to Patriots, is there any chance of a return?
- Both hosts, emphatically: No.
- Mike: “Under no circumstances do the Buffalo Bills bring back Stefan Diggs. Diggs is not coming back to the Buffalo Bills.” [22:08]
- Recaps Diggs’ injury situation ("bad year to get hurt at 30 years old with a torn ACL"), clarifies Bills have moved on, and expects Diggs to sign elsewhere for the money (Patriots most likely due to need and cap space).
- Comments on social media shenanigans: “That was definitely a troll. ...It also got him trending, and it’s sort of a reminder—oh, by the way, Diggs is out there.” [24:16]
9. Bills’ Top Draft Needs & Aggressiveness
[25:31 – 26:58]
- Jenna asks: “What are the top three needs for the Bills?”
- Both agree:
- Defensive Line
- Corner
- Wide Receiver
- Mike urges the Bills to be “aggressive” in the draft, especially for impact players on defense at pick 30, even if it means trading up.
- “I’d like to see him (Beane) be aggressive and move up if there’s somebody there for defense.” — Mike, [26:24]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On D-Line rotation woes:
"They don't have a Miles Garrett. Bosa was that guy, but he's been hurt too much. Vaughn was that guy, but he's not that guy anymore." — Mike Catalana, [03:31]
-
On organizational patience backfiring:
"You ended up having to play him in the most important game of the year because you didn’t dump him earlier and he played and he got roasted and you didn’t go to the Super Bowl." — Mike, [08:01]
-
NFL business reality:
"You know, it's. It's so easy to. For. Especially for fans, to get attached to a guy… but they are always making business decisions." — Jenna, [13:56]
-
Diggs drama summed up:
"Clip this now. Under no circumstances do the Buffalo Bills bring back Stefan Diggs. Diggs is not coming back to the Buffalo Bills." — Mike, [22:08]
-
On roster trolling:
“It’s basically the...‘hey didn’t we have fun’ kind of thing for a little attention and then you know, he shows up in New England.” — Mike, [21:28]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- D-Line suspensions & impact: 02:20–07:24
- Brandon Beane roster choices/Kair Elam: 07:24–09:11
- Matt Milano’s contract & future: 10:41–13:50
- Von Miller possibilities: 14:43–15:48
- James Cook’s contract & RB market: 15:49–17:27
- Christian Benford & CB contracts: 17:27–19:04
- League-wide roster philosophies: 19:10–20:49
- Stefan Diggs’ rumor mill: 20:50–25:04
- Draft needs & strategy: 25:31–26:58
Tone & Style
The hosts bring their typical blend of fan-side candor, dry wit, and in-the-know analysis. They openly critique decisions while also offering context, repeatedly emphasizing the business realities of the NFL and the emotional ties fans have to beloved players.
Summary Takeaway
If you missed this episode, the key takeaway is that the Bills face real depth challenges on the D-line to start the year, age/injury are pushing beloved veteran core players out, management must draft and sign wisely, and social media speculation is a poor substitute for actual team direction. The pod closes with clarity: the Bills’ top draft priorities are defensive line, cornerback, and wide receiver, in that order, and—despite any internet noise—the Stefan Diggs saga in Buffalo is definitively over.