TAMPA, Fla – Michael Hoecht didn’t need to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starters Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium to treat each of his 32 snaps as if it were the regular season.
Hoecht let out a roar and celebrated on the field when Buffalo Bills linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo tackled Owen Wright to stop the Buccaneers on a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter of their preseason finale.
“He’s a rock star,” Ciarlo said of Hoecht. “He’s one of those guys who just fights day in and day out. … To be able to line up next to him, it’s almost a comfort, in a way.”
Michael Hoecht (copy)
Bills edge rusher Michael Hoecht appeared in each of their three preseason games. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
A six-year veteran edge rusher who is in line for an important role on a Super Bowl contender is rarely on the field in that situation, but Hoecht wanted the experience to prepare for the six-game suspension that will force him to be away from the Bills for a month.
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Hoecht didn’t go through the motions, either. Even though the Bills use a thin, vanilla playbook in the preseason, he used their 23-19 win over the Buccaneers to go through the checks and adjustments on defense. It was an opportunity to focus on his technique and how his skill set will fit once he returns in Week 8.
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“It’s still good to go through the basics and technique,” he told The Buffalo News. “How do the tools I have fit in this defense? And I’m also a football junkie, so if you put me out there, I feel like I want to crack the code and figure it out.”
The Bills saw through training camp and three preseason games how Hoecht will help them this season. He was a handful for offensive linemen with a combination of speed and power that overwhelmed starters and backups. General manager Brandon Beane had his eye on Hoecht since 2023, but the Los Angeles Rams re-signed the former undrafted free agent that year.
Hoecht totaled 13½ sacks in his last three seasons with the Rams, including a career-high six in 2023. A defensive tackle at Brown University, Hoecht has the strength of an interior lineman and the athleticism of a defensive end. In 2020, he faced longer odds than some of the Bills rookies and young players whom he lined up with Saturday night because he didn’t have a Pro Day to impress scouts. There wasn’t a preseason that year, either.
The Rams were impressed by Hoecht’s impact on special teams as a rookie, but admittedly, often, his head was spinning. He saw how the calming voice of a veteran teammate can help in those moments. Greg Gaines, now a defensive tackle for the Buccaneers, guided Hoecht by reminding him that he belonged. The message resonated with Hoecht and helped him remain confident in chaotic situations. He has played the same role for the Bills’ young players since the start of training camp.
“You’re kind of in the foxhole with all the rookies and young guys, battling for spots,” Hoecht said. “You may be tired, but these are the boys I’ve been going to battle with the last month. If that doesn’t give you a spark, I don’t know what will.”
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Hoecht and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who is also suspended six games for violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs, cannot enter One Bills Drive for the first four weeks of the season. During that time, Hoecht will work out at a small, private gym in Hamburg, while Ogunjobi was still uncertain of his plans last week when asked by The News.
Their absences will challenge the Bills' depth at the start of the season, forcing coach Sean McDermott to rely on rookies and young players to fill roles early. There are challenges to being away for that long, but Hoecht’s approach to camp showed that his selfless leadership and work ethic were worth the risk of signing him to a three-year contract in March.
“He’s been a great mentor,” Ciarlo said. “He’s physical. He’s fast. I see the way he practices every day – it’s impressive. He’s an animal.”
Bass returns
Bills kicker Tyler Bass made field goals of 37, 37 and 39 yards Saturday night in his first action of the preseason, but his 26-yard attempt with 4:27 remaining in the fourth quarter went wide right.
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Bass’ presence alone was a welcome sight for the Bills after he missed most of training camp and two preseason games with pelvic discomfort. The injury forced him to pause his kicking routine, and the Bills signed Caden Davis to handle kicking duties until Bass was ready.
It was also important for the Bills’ new special teams coordinator, Chris Tabor, to have practices this week and the preseason game to prepare his kickoff coverage unit for the season. Brad Robbins, their punter, also finally got much-needed experience as Bass’ holder.
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