Insider Shares Bad News for Bills on Defensive End After Breakout Season
The Buffalo Bills made a strategic move in 2020 by using a second-round pick on defensive end A.J. Epenesa, hoping he would evolve into a reliable pass rusher. However, Epenesa’s breakout season, which was delayed until 2023, has now presented a challenge for the Bills.
With his rookie contract nearing its end, Epenesa is set to enter free agency next month alongside several other key defensive players. While both general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have praised Epenesa’s performance, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic cautions that his strong showing last season could lead to a contract demand that exceeds what the Bills can comfortably afford.
Tough Decision for Bills
As Buscaglia pointed out, Epenesa faced initial challenges at the beginning of his NFL journey. He underwent a significant weight transformation, shedding nearly 30 pounds from his college playing weight. Upon joining the Bills as a rookie at 250 pounds, he gradually worked his way back up to around 265 pounds over the course of the last two seasons.
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However, according to Buscaglia, Epenesa truly found his rhythm after stabilizing at his optimal playing weight. Demonstrating notable improvement, he accumulated a total of 13 sacks in the past two seasons, emerging as a disruptive presence for opposing quarterbacks in 2023. Notably, he showcased his versatility by defending eight passes, utilizing his lengthy arms to disrupt passing lanes. Epenesa’s impact extended beyond mere pressure, evidenced by his two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Despite his slow start, Epenesa appears poised to command a substantial contract this offseason, as predicted by Buscaglia.
“Epenesa has a good blend of speed and power that makes him unblockable on some reps, though there is still some inconsistency to his game,” Buscaglia noted. “Regardless, entering his age-26 season with 13 sacks in the last two seasons as only a part-time player, Epenesa has the profile of a player teams flock to in free agency. He might get a bigger contract than some might expect.”
For some insiders, this outcome has been foreseeable throughout the season. Buffalo News insider Jay Skurski wrote in October that Epenesa was already playing himself into a contract too costly for the Bills to match.
“I’m fairly certain Epenesa will give the industry line about wanting to stay with the Bills, but the truth is, it’s a business, and if he can cash in on a big season in a contract year, nobody should fault him for that,” Skurski expressed. “The question of whether the Bills can afford him can be asked about several of their pending unrestricted free agents. With [quarterback Josh] Allen’s contract continuing to increase, GM Brandon Beane can only hope for big annual jumps in the salary cap. Even then, he’s going to have to say goodbye to players he would preferably keep.”
Bills Must Set Prioirities
Epenesa isn’t the sole Bills player heading towards free agency with the potential for a substantial contract. Leonard Floyd, another edge rusher, is also nearing the end of his one-year contract and anticipated to secure a lucrative deal, especially after matching his career high with 10.5 sacks last season. Additionally, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones is set to hit free agency.
General Manager Brandon Beane has cautioned that the team will adopt a frugal stance in free agency, particularly with significant contracts already allocated to quarterback Josh Allen and edge rusher Von Miller. This suggests that despite the talent of players like Epenesa, Floyd, and Jones, the Bills may have limited financial flexibility to retain them all.