Four-year veteran edge defender A.J. Epenesa signed a new contract with the Buffalo Bills. Epenesa, a former second-round pick, spent the entirety of his professional career with the Buffalo Bills.
The #Bills are bringing back DE A.J. Epenesa on a two-year deal, source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2024
A.J. Epenesa, Buffalo Bills, Agree to Contract
Edge defender A.J. Epenesa finished his rookie contract on a high note. Appearing in 15 games, the former second-round pick finished the season with 6.5 sacks, 20 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, 10 quarterback hits, and two interceptions. With his help, the Buffalo Bills won the AFC East and made it to the AFC Divisional Round before losing a heartbreaker to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
A.J. Epenesa originally entered the league as a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Selected by the Buffalo Bills, the Iowa product spent the majority of his rookie season as a situational pass rusher. Appearing in 14 games while making one start, the rookie finished his inaugural season with one sack, 14 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and four quarterback hits. Epenesa’s rookie season also aligned with the Bills starting to put it all together, as the team made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game.
Epenesa saw similar usage during his second year in the league. Appearing in 14 games, the Iowa product recorded one sack, 14 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and nine quarterback hits on the season. Once again, Buffalo made it to the playoffs before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The edge defender started to put it all together during his third season. Appearing in 15 games while making two starts, Epenesa finished the year with 6.5 sacks, 16 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and 10 quarterback hits. Once again, the Bills could not advance past the divisional round, this time losing to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Since signing his rookie contract, A.J. Epenesa has appeared in 58 games while making four starts. While on the field, the Iowa product has recorded 15.5 sacks, 64 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss, and 33 quarterback hits.
Main Photo: Mark Konezny – USA Today Sports
