As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the 2025 NFL season, we’ll take a look at the most important contributors on their roster. They have a ton of cornerstone players who will be returning for another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo, and they’ll have help from some new additions as well.
Leading up to the season, we will be counting down the top 30 most important players on the roster. We’ll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to what they’ll offer in 2025, and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding them this coming year.
Next up on the countdown is A.J. Epenesa.
Background
Position: DE
Age at start of season: 26
Experience: Sixth year
2025 cap hit: $7,487,000
2024 recap
A.J. Epenesa started 13 games and appeared in all 17 games for the Bills in 2024 after signing a two-year contract extension prior to the season. The former Iowa Hawkeyes standout has been consistent over the past three seasons, recording at least six sacks each year. He’s never among the best edge rushers in the league but he provides value as both a pass rusher and run defender across from Greg Rousseau. In 2024, he posted six sacks, 39 tackles, eight TFLs, one safety, two forced fumbles, and two passes batted down.
2025 outlook
Epenesa will have some added competition on the roster this coming season with the additions of Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, and rookie Landon Jackson. There will also be another year of development for Javon Solomon. Given Hoecht’s suspension and Bosa’s injury concerns, Epenesa will most likely be leaned upon heavily for the upcoming season. Some added beef in the middle may help open things up for him in passing situations. The Bills have a diverse accumulation of bodies on the defensive line after free agency and the draft, but Epenesa seems to have solidified himself as a rotational player for the Bills.
Biggest question: Will the Bills welcome Epenesa back following the year?
After being a second round pick in 2020 for the Bills, Epenesa played out his rookie deal and then received a two-year extension following the 2023 season. He’s entering the final year of his deal (2 years, $12 million) and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Aside from Greg Rousseau, the Bills haven’t committed long term money to anyone really. They have Jackson, a rookie, and Solomon, a second-year player, but neither have proven to see a majority of snaps yet. General manager Brandon Beane will have a decision on Epenesa, who will be 27 years old next offseason.
30 Most Important Bills of 2025
Check back as we continue to countdown on our list of the 30 most important Bills ahead of the 2025 season.
No. 30 DT T.J. Sanders, No. 29 LB Dorian Williams, No. 28 Larry Ogunjobi, No. 27 Alec Anderson.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Previewing the 30 most important Bills of 2025 including A.J. Epenesa