{"id":235468,"date":"2025-06-04T11:00:19","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T15:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=235468"},"modified":"2025-06-03T19:51:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T23:51:41","slug":"buffalo-bills-aj-epenesa-targets-double-digit-sacks-breakout-2025-nfl-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/06\/04\/buffalo-bills-aj-epenesa-targets-double-digit-sacks-breakout-2025-nfl-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Buffalo Bills Star Targets ‘Double-Digit Sacks’ For 2025 Breakout"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa overcame a slow start to his NFL career to become a valuable member of the team’s defensive line rotation. Now the 26-year-old University of Iowa product is aiming to take his career to the next level.<\/p>\n

“Hitting the six-sack mark the past three years has been that consistency, and that’s been good, but this year I’m trying to go for it all,” Epenesa told Lance Lysowski<\/a> of the Buffalo News<\/em>. “I’m trying to hit double-digit sacks and be as consistent or even better against the run because that’s as hard to stop, that’s as important to stop, as the pass. You’ve got to be able to put them into passing down situations to get sacks in the first place.”<\/p>\n

Epenesa has never posted more than 6.5 sacks in a single season. His sixth campaign in the NFL may be his most important, however, as he enters a contract year<\/a> for a franchise with a Super Bowl-or-bust mindset. His role on defense may also increase with prized free-agent signing Joey Bosa<\/a> already sidelined by a calf injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bills’ A.J. Epenesa Aiming For Breakout 2025 Season<\/h2>\n
\"A.J.
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Epenesa’s NFL Production Through 5 Seasons<\/h3>\n

Epenesa, a 2020 second-round pick, was trending toward the bust label through two pro seasons. He’d accumulated just 28 total tackles and 2.5 sacks through his first 28 NFL appearances. His lack of impact rushing the passer was a serious concern.<\/p>\n

While the Kansas native still isn’t an elite edge-rushing weapon, he’s at least made some progress in that area over the past three years. He’s tallied 19 sacks since the start of the 2022 season. That includes six to go along with a career-high 39 total tackles last year.<\/p>\n

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CLIP: Is AJ Epenesa a "bust" for the Bills? I don't think he is at all.<\/p>\n

Full EP: https:\/\/t.co\/L0gLsuxlOF<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/5EXgfgSBO1<\/a><\/p>\n

— Patrick Moran (Talking Buffalo) (@PatrickMoranTB) May 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n