Browns free agency: How DE AJ Epenesa fits on defense in 2026
How does Cleveland Browns' newly-signed defensive end AJ Epenesa fits on the team's defense for the 2026 NFL season?
After a heavy focus on the offensive side of the ball during the 2026 NFL Free Agency period, the Cleveland Browns have made a key signing on defense this week. General manager Andrew Berry, despite his strong efforts to revamp the offensive line so far this offseason, still managed to make one addition on the other side in linebacker Quincy Williams . The former All-Pro playmaker will now reunite with the Browns’ newly-hired defensive coordinator, Mike Rutenberg , as he is set to replace veteran Devin Bush.
However, the front office decided to pursue another defensive chess piece on Wednesday evening by signing former Buffalo Bills EDGE rusher AJ Epenesa to a one-year deal that could be worth up to $5 million in incentives. Epenesa now joins one of the best defensive lines across the NFL, and his role in 2026 could be valuable for Cleveland. How Epenesa Fits With Browns in 2026 Epenesa, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, brings plenty of experience to the Browns’ stout defensive line next season.
While it took time for him to truly reach his full potential, the former Iowa Hawkeye standout emerged as a vital piece of the Bills' defense from 2022 to 2024, racking up a total of 75 tackles, 19 sacks, and five forced fumbles over the three-year stretch. Unfortunately for Epenesa, his production declined steeply last season, as he finished with 2. 5 sacks in his 16 games played with the Bills.
His rough 2025 season resulted in Buffalo signing Bradley Chubb this offseason, leaving him available for the Browns to target after the first round of free agent signings. When looking at how Epenesa could fit into the struggling franchise’s defensive scheme in 2026, the 27-year-old will be a perfect veteran rotational piece behind star pass rusher Myles Garrett and 2022 third-round pick Alex Wright. Cleveland’s defensive end depth will be at its best heading into next season with Epenesa joining the bunch, as both Isaiah McGuire and Wright will be able to learn and develop under the likes of him and Garrett throughout the course of the upcoming season.