RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesPHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 30: Philadelphia Eagles defensive end A.J. Epenesa #57 runs a drill during the Philadelphia Eagles training camp on July 30th, 2026 at Jefferson Health Training Complex in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Seven days into the 2026 NFL free agency period, Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry signed a very good pass rusher in DE A.J. Epenesa away from the Buffalo Bills. The deal was for one-year at $5 million.
At the time of the signing, it was assumed that the corner opposite Myles Garrett needed a dynamic pass rusher who was decent against the run but had a lot of presence in the opponent’s backfield.
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The signing got average grades of “B-.” Matt Warren, NFL Community Director for SB Nation and Buffalo Rumblings contributor, gave this note on the Epenesa signing: “Played significant snaps for the Bills. Seems cheap to me.”
And so, it was assumed that Berry had gotten a good pass rusher who would compete for snaps with Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire on that left side. Quality depth was about to come to Cleveland after the franchise lost DE Cameron Thomas to the Atlanta Falcons.
Then, 11 days later, Cleveland decided to rescind the contract due to issues with the player when he visited the Berea facility and concerns after he took his physical, a source informed ESPN . After visiting the facility and undergoing a standard medical evaluation, team officials opted not to finalize the paperwork. Similar, but on a much smaller level, to the Baltimore Ravens rescinding their trade for DE Maxx Crosby.
Epenesa had played six years in the NFL and was a second-round draft pick of the Bills in the 2020 NFL draft. His forte is being a pass rusher. Last year, he had only 2.5 sacks in 16 games played, but from 2022-2024, he had 19 combined sacks and 31 QB hits.
Epenesa kicks the INT to himself! BUFvsCAR on FOX/FOX One https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/qx0HUbD2PN
— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025
It generally surprised most folks when Cleveland backed out of the arrangement after being uncomfortable with the medical findings. It wasn’t like Epenesa had ended the 2025 season on any list or was injured in any way. He wasn’t. He appeared in all 17 regular-season games plus the playoffs.
The Browns never really stated what the medical issue was with Epenesa. They just announced they had rescinded the deal, and that was that. It wasn’t like the franchise quoted the “Lemon Law” or anything. At the time, Epenesa called it “a weird situation.”
On June 10, Epenesa signed with the Philadelphia Eagles but did not disclose terms other than that he inked a one-year deal.
Now, Epenesa is discussing his brief time of almost being a Cleveland Brown :
“I don’t necessarily want to go back and talk about that. I’ll just leave that in the past and just be happy that I’m not a Brown and that I’m an Eagle. Very healthy, feeling good, and happy to be here.“
Epenesa, age 27, appeared in 91 games over six seasons in Buffalo, including 19 starts.
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