The Buffalo Bills lucked out big time by getting a good amount of players back on defense against the Carolina Panthers. One of those players was versatile defender Michael Hoecht, who was signed by the Bills in free agency to a three-year deal. He started his career with the Los Angeles Rams and he was a solid rotational defender.
While his signing looked like it was going to be a good one for Buffalo, it started off on a really bad note. Around the time that it was reported that the Bills had agreed to terms with him, it was then later found out that he was set to be suspended for six games for violating the league’s PED policy.
Yeah, that didn’t sit well with Bills fans…but it’s over and done with and now, Hoecht is back in the lineup and he delivered a great debut with the Bills.
Michael Hoecht shined in Bills' victory over Panthers
Sean McDermott spoke with the media after Buffalo’s win over Carolina and he gave some high praise to Hoecht, saying that “He’s a tone setter for us” per Alex Brasky.
Sean McDermott on Michael Hoecht’s massive Bills debut: “He’s a tone setter for us.” pic.twitter.com/SB0sOnn5v7
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) October 26, 2025
Hoecht had 3 total tackles on the day against the Panthers, which included 1.5 sacks and he also had a forced fumble. He was consistently creating pressure in the pocket. Quite frankly, he was creating the most out of all the Bills’ pass rushers.
From being suspended for the first six games to putting on this kind of performance in his season debut, I would say that he is off to a strong start. Buffalo not only got him back, but they also got Larry Ogunjobi back from the same six-game suspension. The depth is back now, and it’s going to be extremely important since Ed Oliver was injured against the Panthers and we wait to see what his status is.