The Buffalo Bills won’t be able to run it back with defensive end A.J. Epenesa, with him instead moving a few hours away to play for the Cleveland Browns in 2026. Adam Schefter reports that Epenesa’s one-year deal has a max value of $5 million.
Epenesa was the top pick for One Bills Drive, as the team had sent its first-round pick that year to the Minnesota Vikings as part of the trade that sent wide receiver Stefon Diggs to Western New York. Selected 54th overall by Buffalo, Epenesa spent six seasons with the Bills — first as part of his four-year rookie contract, then returning via a two-year, $12 million contract extension ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
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Despite signing that extension, Epenesa seemed to plateau with Buffalo, providing steady but never fully explosive play as a relief edge defender. Results aside, it’s clear the Bills wanted more from the position in having made moves in the draft and in free agency to bring in defensive ends Greg Rousseau (2021 NFL Draft), Von Miller (2022 FA signing), then last season signing free-agent defensive ends Michael Hoecht and Joey Bosa.
During his time with Buffalo, Epenesa was an integral part of former head coach Sean McDermott’s rotation-heavy defensive front four. However, he never was able to crack into a featured role with the defense, early in his career being asked to add weight before it was clear that only hindered his abilities.
After slimming back down to a more comfortable playing weight, Epenesa began to blossom as a pass disruptor at the line of scrimmage. His knack for perfectly timing jumps in all directions meant bad things for opposing quarterbacks, and Epenesa would end up with the football often enough for it to become a healthy habit.
Yet, as a sack artist, Epenesa left a lot to be desired up front — never totaling more than 6.5 sacks in any single season with the Bills. While many hoped to see more out of Epenesa, perhaps due to his draft status, a quick glance at his career numbers shows a well-rounded and productive resume.
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In six NFL campaigns across 91 regular-season games and 19 starts with Buffalo, Epenesa totaled 135 tackles (81 solo), 29 tackles for loss, 53 quarterback hits, 24 sacks, one safety, four interceptions (for 63 yards), one interception returned for a touchdown, 21 pass defenses, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. In 14 playoff games (3 starts) with the Bills, Epenesa made 17 tackles (10 solo), three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and five pass defenses. (All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference)
There was some buzz as to what new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard might have been able to bring to Epenesa’s game, as some believed the prior regime may have too often miscalculated in their coaching. Instead, Epenesa and Leonhard have to settle for getting to know each other as opponents on game day.
