The Buffalo Bills will begin the 2025 NFL regular season with a key free-agent addition. During his press conference on Friday, March 14, general manager Brandon Beane informed reporters that defensive lineman Michael Hoecht will serve a six-game suspension for a failed test involving performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
Hoecht is the second player facing a PED suspension that Buffalo’s front office has signed during the latest free-agency period. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi will also miss the first six games of the regular season.
Beane revealed that One Bills Drive knew of Hoecht’s failed test and pending suspension, and still felt comfortable signing him to a four-year contract. The team was unaware of Ogunjobi’s situation, as the test had just come back as he was agreeing to terms with Buffalo.
Under the rules of this suspension, Hoecht (and Ogunjobi) will miss the first six games, being placed on in-season Injured Reserve — and will not count against the team’s 53-man active roster while suspended. He cannot be at any of the team’s facilities the first four weeks, but may return to practice with the Bills for the fifth and sixth week of the suspension.
Hoecht will be eligible to return in full and make his regular-season debut with the Bills in Week 7 at the earliest. It’s not an ideal beginning for Hoecht, given the team’s investment in him. Unlike Ogunjobi’s one-year contract Buffalo at least signed Hoecht to a multi-year deal, so there’s more opportunity for a return on investment.