Several weeks after a deal with the Browns didn’t materialize, AJ Epenesa has found a new home at the Philadelphia Eagles. The team announced his signing on Wednesday but didn’t disclose the terms.

Epenesa was the second-round pick of the Buffalo Bills during the 2020 NFL Draft. He has spent all of his six seasons to date with the team. He became a free agent during this offseason after completing a two-year and $12 million contract with the Bills.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns had agreed to sign Epenesa to a one-year contract worth $5 million on March 18 this year. The deal was nullified as the Browns backed out after the defensive end failed in his physical. 

This comes after they traded their star Myles Garrett, losing the anchor of the defense. With this hiring now off the table, the Browns have to make some moves to bolster their defense.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that the 27-year-old had also visited the Miami Dolphins during his free agency in April.

During his time with the Buffalo Bills, Epenesa played a strong backup role and was a reliable member of their defensive line rotation over the years. He played 91 games, out of which 19 games saw him as the starter.

Per an ESPN report, Epenesa has recorded 24 sacks, 135 tackles, four interceptions, and five forced fumbles in a total of 91 games. During the 16 games he played in 2025, the defensive end could only tally 2.5 sacks as compared to 19 sacks during the previous three years.

During his collegiate career at Iowa, Epenesa was named to the All-Freshmen Big Ten Conference Team in 2018. And during his sophomore season in 2018, the DE led the Big Ten in sacks and earned the first-team All-Big Ten accolades in 2018 and 2019.

Zach Bachar of the Bleacher Report added that, as the Eagles are looking to go for a deeper playoff run after their wild-card exit last season, Epenesa has the potential to contribute on their defensive front for the 2026 season. 

With Epenesa making his way to Philadelphia, the Browns miss out on an opportunity to add depth to their defensive line following the departure of their star defensive end, Myles Garrett, to the LA Rams. 

Browns Defensive Rebuild Begins With Garrett Trade

On June 1, news broke that the Browns and the Rams had reached an agreement regarding Myles Garrett’s trade. 

The Browns traded their 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year to the LA Rams in exchange for Jared Verse and a first-round draft pick in 2027, a second-round draft pick in 2028, and a third-round draft pick in 2029. 

Per an ESPN report, the Rams’ interest in Garrett piqued after the Browns modified the seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end’s contract in March. Multiple sources reported that the Browns were clear that they had no interest in trading Garrett, who spent nine years with them. 

The Browns are now tasked with rebuilding their defensive front after moving on from Garrett, who served as the unit’s centerpiece for years. And Verse is a start.

What are your thoughts on the Browns' issues this season?

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi