Since Sean McDermott became the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, one thing has remained consistent in how he runs his defense: no matter who the defensive coordinator is, the Bills frequently rotate their edge rushers. While this isn’t unique to Buffalo, the team relies heavily on rotating its entire defensive line to keep players fresh.
A.J. Epenesa, a second-round pick in 2020 out of Iowa, has been a key part of that rotation for several years. Epenesa entered the league as a highly athletic prospect expected to make an immediate impact. However, his early career was underwhelming — he was often a healthy scratch and struggled to produce when he did play.
Things began to turn around in 2022 when he posted a then-career-best 6.5 sacks, though he still didn’t quite stand out. It wasn’t until the 2023 season that Epenesa truly broke through, arguably becoming Buffalo’s top edge rusher. That year, he matched his 6.5 sacks, added 8 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and scored a defensive touchdown. His performance earned him a two-year extension just before the 2024 free agency period.
Epenesa continued his steady play in 2024, again registering six sacks and setting a personal best with 39 total tackles. Now entering the final year of his contract in 2025, the Bills face a decision. If they’re not planning to re-sign him, it might be wise to explore trade options before the season begins to get value in return.
It makes sense for Bills to trade A.J. Epenesa before 2025 season
Think about the bigger picture: the Bills have already committed to Greg Rousseau with a four-year extension, brought in Joey Bosa and Michael Hoecht during free agency, and used a third-round pick on Landon Jackson in the draft. On top of that, Javon Solomon—still on his rookie deal—flashed real potential last season.
Given all that investment and depth at the edge rusher position, unless Buffalo plans to extend A.J. Epenesa again, it makes sense to explore trade options. He’s shown he can be a dependable rotational pass rusher—something every team values—but with the Bills’ current roster setup, keeping him might not be the most efficient move. It’s not about Epenesa lacking ability; it’s about a crowded position group and the numbers simply not working in his favor.
