The Buffalo Bills had barely finalized their three-year, \$21 million deal with free-agent defensive end Michael Hoecht when the NFL handed down a six-game suspension for violating its policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Hoecht, who spent the past five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, isn’t dodging responsibility. Speaking to WKBW’s Matt Bove, the 27-year-old Canadian admitted the error and said he plans to use the time away to prepare mentally and physically, despite acknowledging that the situation “is going to suck.”
“This is a tough spot, and it’s completely on me,” Hoecht said. “I’m going to use this time to heal up, stay sharp mentally, watch every game and practice, and do everything I can so that when I return, I’m ready to go and we can move forward.”
Hoecht’s suspension ends after the Bills’ Week 6 Monday Night Football matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. With a bye in Week 7, his first opportunity to suit up will be in Week 8 when Buffalo travels to face the Carolina Panthers.
Hoecht Comments Further About Buffalo Signing
Michael Hoecht, a Brown University alumnus, wasn’t selected in the NFL Draft in 2020 but was taken in the second round of the CFL Draft by the Ottawa Redblacks. Instead of heading north, he chose to chase his NFL aspirations and signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent.
In his first experience with NFL free agency, Hoecht pointed to Buffalo’s proximity to his hometown of Oakville, Ontario, as a major factor in choosing the Bills.
“This opportunity was too good to pass up—it just felt like the right fit,” Hoecht told WKBW’s Matt Bove. “It’s close to home, it’s a great team, Josh \[Allen] just won MVP—this is the kind of place you want to be right now.”
Oakville is just about a 90-minute drive from Orchard Park, home of the Bills’ Highmark Stadium.
“Now it feels truly meaningful to bring my whole journey full circle and share this with the people who’ve supported me,” Hoecht said. “If you see a huge crowd of 50 people all rocking No. 55 jerseys, you’ll know exactly who they’re cheering for.”
His first home appearance in a Bills uniform is projected to be on November 2, when Buffalo hosts the Kansas City Chiefs.
Analyzing The Defensive End’s NFL Track Record
Michael Hoecht began his NFL journey on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad as a rookie, followed by a quiet 2021 season in a limited reserve role. It wasn’t until his third year that he carved out a more prominent spot in the rotation.
Since 2022, the edge rusher has compiled 173 tackles, 26 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles across 51 games, including 28 starts. Impressively, Hoecht has yet to miss a game due to injury during his time in the league.
However, his production dipped noticeably in 2024. He finished the season with just 56 tackles and three sacks—a drop-off from his previous campaign. His 61.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus reflected the underwhelming performance, making it somewhat surprising that he still landed a three-year contract in free agency.
At his peak, the Super Bowl LVI champion can be a dependable run defender on the edge and a serviceable secondary pass-rushing option. Still, he doesn’t project as a high-ceiling sack artist, which puts a cap on his long-term upside.
How Hoecht Will Fit In Bills’ Defense Upon Return
Michael Hoecht’s biggest asset might be his versatility. He has the ability to play both on the edge and slide inside, which could help him carve out a defined role in Buffalo’s deep defensive line rotation. That said, earning consistent snaps won’t be easy with a crowded group vying for playing time.
Here’s a look at the Bills’ defensive front, keeping in mind that Larry Ogunjobi will also miss the first six games due to suspension:
Defensive Ends: Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon, Michael Hoecht
Defensive Tackles: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker, DeWayne Carter, Larry Ogunjobi
“I never really saw myself as a versatile player until I got to the NFL and found myself playing all over the line,” Hoecht told WKBW’s Matt Bove. “To be versatile, it’s not just knowing the playbook—you have to understand it if you’re going to line up at different spots.”
That flexibility may be his best shot at regular snaps in Buffalo, especially with the team likely leaning on a heavy defensive line rotation. Rousseau and Oliver are the only players projected to possibly exceed a 60% snap share, and even that isn’t a given.
Hoecht is expected to contribute as an early-down edge defender who can set the edge against the run, and also kick inside as a pass-rusher on third downs. Additionally, he’ll play a meaningful role on special teams.
Looking ahead, Hoecht’s role could grow in the second half of his contract. With A.J. Epenesa set to hit free agency after the season, the two will likely be battling for similar reps in 2024. If Hoecht can thrive in his rotational role this year, he could be in line for a bigger workload by 2026.
