A former second-round Bills edge rusher who joined Philadelphia's defensive line for pass-rush depth in 2026.
AJ Epenesa built his name at Iowa as one of the Big Ten's most disruptive pass rushers before spending six seasons with the Buffalo Bills. After his run in Buffalo ended, he found his way to Philadelphia, joining a defensive front looking for edge depth after a Super Bowl-winning season.
Path to the league
Epenesa was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection at Iowa and finished his college career tied for fourth on the program's all-time sacks list with 26.5. The Buffalo Bills selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 54th overall.
Career highlights
Epenesa spent six seasons in Buffalo, recording 24 sacks and 135 tackles as a rotational edge rusher. His signature moment came in 2023 when he intercepted a Sam Howell pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown against Washington.
2025 season recap
Epenesa appeared in 16 games for the Bills in 2025, making two starts and recording 32 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions in a rotational pass-rush role. He remained on Buffalo's roster through the season before his move away from the team the following year.
Sources
- Wikipedia: A. J. Epenesa
- Pro Football Reference: A.J. Epenesa
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
16 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | bills | 16 | 32 | 17 | 2.5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 2024 | bills | 17 | 39 | 23 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | bills | 15 | 20 | 9 | 6.5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 2022 | bills | 15 | 16 | 13 | 6.5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2021 | bills | 14 | 14 | 8 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | bills | 14 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Defensive End
- Group
- defense
- College
- Iowa
- Hometown
- Glen Carbon, IL, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
Latest news about AJ Epenesa
All news →Riq Woolen is already turning heads in Philadelphia: 'One of the best secondary groups in the league'
The former Seahawks corner signed a one-year deal worth up to $15 million. Early in the offseason, the Eagles like what they see, and so does Vic Fangio.
Eagles Sign AJ Epenesa, Months After the Browns Walked Away From a Deal
Philadelphia adds the veteran edge rusher to its rotation after Cleveland declined to finalize an agreed-upon contract following his physical in March.
