Buffalo Bills 2021 Offseason Position Preview: Defensive End

The Buffalo Bills made some significant changes at the position last year with the departure of Shaq Lawson but adding Mario Addison in free agency and A.J. Epenesa with a second round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

However, the Bills struggled to get pressure on the opposing quarterback with just their front four and could be once again looking for another upgrade. Let’s take a look at the players under contract and who is a free agent entering this offseason.

Under Contract in 2021

Mario Addison

Jerry Hughes

A.J. Epenesa

Darryl Johnson

Bryan Cox Jr. – Reserve/Future Contract

Mike Love  – Reserve/Future Contract

The Buffalo Bills have all but one player at the position set to return next season. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they all will return. Among this group, Mario Addison is the one who has the biggest question marks as he has a significant cap hit at $10.162 next season but the Bills could release him and save $8.162 million with a June 1st release.

This could open the door for A.J. Epenesa to step into a starting role or the Bills could add a free agent, like J.J. Watt.

The Bills also did already bring back Bryan Cox Jr. and Mike Love, who spent most of the year on the practice squad, on Reserve/Future contracts. If the Bills were to release Addison and not bring in any players, then this would open up a spot for one of these two players to be part of the rotation.

Free Agent

Trent Murphy – Unrestricted Free Agent

The only free agent the Buffalo Bills have at the position is Trent Murphy, who is an unrestricted free agent. Murphy signed as a free agent in 2018 and was the starter for most of the first two seasons with the team.

However, this past season Murphy lost his starting job and eventually was a healthy scratch for most of the second half of the season. He lost snaps to A.J. Epenesa and it would be surprising to see Murphy return to the Bills this coming season.