Bills’ AJ Epenesa has big goals after coming back to Buffalo

Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa has been one of the better pass-rushers for the Bills over the past couple of seasons and as such, he is part of the team’s core moving forward. After coming to Buffalo as a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the team’s top selection that year, Epenesa has shown how impactful he can be when given some playing time.

After signing a two-year contract to come back to the Bills, Epenesa is now one of the players who will have to step up for a Buffalo team that had to let some important players go in order to be cap-compliant by the start of the 2024 league year. With DE Leonard Floyd leaving the Bills to sign with the San Francisco 49ers, that leaves a spot on the edge opposite star Von Miller.

Barring any other significant moves this offseason or in the draft, Epenesa seems to be the logical choice to step into Floyd’s role. It’s also possible that if Epenesa does not take this opportunity to seize that starting role, he may have to play behind Greg Rousseau, who has also been solid for the Bills.

Epenesa is coming off his second straight season of putting up 6.5 sacks and had arguably his best performance last season while playing the most snaps in a single season in his four-year career. He recently spoke to the media on what his goals are now that he is coming back to Buffalo to potentially play a bigger role for a Super Bowl contender:

“I want to earn a starting spot on the defensive line and continue progressing my game with stats, whether that be more sacks, more snaps and just overall production. So, I’m ready for more, and I’m looking forward to taking on more responsibilities.”