The Browns are adding an experienced pass rusher to their defensive line.
Former Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa is signing a one-year deal with the Browns, a source confirmed for the Beacon Journal. The deal, which is believed to be worth up to $6 million, was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Epenesa, 27, has spent his entire career with the Bills after they made him a second-round pick out of the University of Iowa in 2020. He’s played in 91 career regular-season games and 14 more playoff games, with 19 regular-season starts and three playoff starts.
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Epenesa started a majority of the Bills’ games in a season once, in 2024 when he started 13 of the 17 regular-season games and all three playoff games. He had six sacks, two forced fumbles and a safety that season.
Despite being a rotational edge rusher, Epenesa has recorded 24 sacks over six seasons. His career high is 6.5 sacks, which he did in both 2022 and 2023.
Epenesa’s sack production dipped in 2025 after three consecutive seasons with at least six sacks. He had 2.5 sacks, along with a fumble recovery and four passes defensed.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns to sign ex-Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa to bolster edge depth
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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