When the NFL’s legal tampering period opened up, the first notable free agent that the Buffalo Bills saw sign with another team was fullback Reggie Gilliam. Not only did Gilliam leave Buffalo, but he joined the New England Patriots. The Bills have also lost players like Cam Lewis and David Edwards.
The Bills are now seeing another notable free agent leave Buffalo as Adam Schefter has reported that edge rusher A.J. Epenesa is signing with the Cleveland Browns on a one-year deal that is worth up to $5 million.
Former Bills DE A.J. Epenesa is signing a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with the Cleveland Browns, per source. pic.twitter.com/mCHdVLNeIB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2026
This is a huge steal for the Browns as Epenesa has been a solid rotational edge rusher in his career. He did get off to a slow start in his first two seasons as a pro, but he eventually picked up his production with getting back-to-back 6.5 sacks in 2022 and 2023 which eventually landed him a second contract with the Bills.
Bills lose A.J. Epenesa to Browns on very cheap deal
In six seasons with the Bills, Epenesa racked up 24 sacks and 135 total tackles. His breakout season came in 2023 with 6.5 sacks to go with 2 interceptions (1 returned for a score), as well as a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
The Bills drafted Epenesa in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Iowa in hopes that he could become a franchise edge rusher. While he wasn’t able to accomplish that, he did become a great rotational player coming off the edge. Plus, fans got to see Epenesa deliver some of the hardest hits you will ever see from a player.
For Epenesa to sign this deal where he can only make up to $5 million tells us two things. First, it shows that his market was not as wide as it could have been. Second, the Browns just got themselves a potentially huge steal with Epenesa. His numbers may not show it, but Epenesa can provide solid pressure coming off the edge. Now he will get to add to his game by being teammates with Myles Garrett.
With Epenesa off the free agency board, the Bills are going to have to look into bringing more help coming off the edge for atleast depth reasons. In addition, they are also going to have to potentially spend a draft pick early on an edge rusher.
Since Buffalo is moving from a 4-2-5 to a 3-4 defense, they need players that will fit the scheme and Epenesa most likely would not have been a great fit.