The Buffalo Bills will start the season without two of their free-agent additions due to suspensions covering the first six games, but their return is perfectly timed.
The 2025 schedule looks favorable for the Bills, who not only hold the ninth easiest slate in the NFL but also benefit from a strategic timing related to these suspensions.
During the offseason, Buffalo added defensive linemen Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi to strengthen their run defense. However, both were slapped with six-game suspensions for violating the league’s PED policy shortly after signing.
While missing two important players for the opening stretch is challenging, the Bills’ schedule provides some relief.
As Buffalo Rumblings pointed out, the bye week in Week 7 falls right after the suspensions end, giving Hoecht and Ogunjobi a chance to ease back into team practices and regain game speed before returning to action. This timing offers a bright spot for the signings, which otherwise carried a setback for GM Brandon Beane.
Since neither player can practice during their suspension, having the bye week immediately after reinstatement is a huge advantage. It increases the chances they can contribute right away once they’re eligible to play, highlighting another way Buffalo’s 2025 schedule works in their favor.
