A.J. Epenesa
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Buffalo Bills edge rusher A.j. Epenesa.
The Philadelphia Eagles made a flurry of roster moves on Wednesday as they closed out mandatory minicamp, including signing a promising edge rusher and former 2nd round pick in former Buffalo Bills standout A.J. Epenesa.
“Eagles signed former Bills DE A.J. Epenesa,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account. “Epenesa originally was Buffalo’s 2020 second-round pick. He planned to sign with the Browns in March, but didn’t pass his physical. Now he lands in Philadelphia.”
Epenesa spent the 1st 6 seasons of his career with the Bills, including 3 consecutive seasons with at least 6.0 sacks from 2022 through 2024.
The Eagles also terminated edge rusher Za’Darius Smith from the reserve/retirement list, which allows him to sign with another team. Philadelphia also signed offensive lineman Michael Jordan and released linebackers Chandler Martin and Isiah King.
“FormerBills second-round pick A.J. Epenesa has a new home,” NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo wrote on his official X account. “He’s signed with the Eagles, the team announced.”
Epenesa ‘Top Trade Candidate’ Before 2025 Season
Epenesa was singled out by Bleacher Report as a “Top Trade Candidate” for the Bills before the 2025 season.
“If the Bills are going to send a player packing in a trade, Epenesa still makes the most sense,” Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport wrote in June 2025. “It’s simply a numbers game. The Bills just gave (Joey) Bosa over $12 million to come to Buffalo in 2025. Gregory Rousseau received a four-year, $80 million extension that included $54 million in guarantees this spring. The team used a third-round pick in this year’s draft on LSU’s Landon Jackson.”
‘Prove It’ Year for NFL Future Didn’t Pan Out
Epenesa, 27, was in the final season of the 2-year, $12 million contract he signed in March 2024 and was playing for big-time money in the 2026 free-agent cycle — something that didn’t pan out after he finished with just 2.5 sacks and 9 QB hits in 16 games.