A.J. Epenesa. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

A.J. Epenesa returns to free-agent market after failed physical

By Olamilekan Ajayi | Last updated Mar 29, 2026 11:06 PM ET

The Cleveland Browns agreed to terms with defensive end A.J. Epenesa on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, and everything pointed toward a clean offseason addition.

Epenesa visited the Browns' facility last Monday with the expectation that he would slot into Cleveland's defensive line rotation. The physical, however, was not a formality.

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi reported Sunday that the deal would not be moving forward, leaving the former Buffalo Bills pass-rusher back on the open market before he ever officially signed. What the Browns found in that physical has not been publicly disclosed.

"The Browns won't be signing DE A.J. Epenesa as was initially reported, per source. Team wasn't comfortable finalizing the deal after his physical," he wrote.

Epenesa visited the team’s facility last Monday, per the NFL’s transaction wire. The anticipation was that Epenesa would provide depth at DE and replace Cameron Thomas, who signed with the Falcons. https://t.co/NBKJpCpUKx
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) March 30, 2026

Epenesa was expected to complement All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett on Cleveland's defensive front. Without him, Julian Okwara and Alex Wright are the options on the other side.

The injury timeline that likely put Epenesa's physical under a microscope

Epenesa has been one of the more available edge-rushers in the NFL in recent years. He has never missed more than three games in a single season.

That said, the end of his 2025 season introduced some health questions. He was listed with a foot injury in December.

Then, during the Bills' playoff run in January, he was limited in practice with what was described as a "past neck issue."

Whether either of those issues is what Cleveland flagged is unknown at this time. No specific injury information accompanied Sunday's announcement.

In 2025, Epenesa appeared in 16 regular-season games, recording 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, two interceptions and four pass defenses.

Over six seasons, he accumulated 24 career sacks, including back-to-back 6.5-sack campaigns in 2022 and 2023.

Cleveland retains the sixth overall pick in the 2026 draft and has been connected to Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese.

For Epenesa, the next step is finding a team willing to move past the failed physical. At 27, with a full regular season played in 2025 and a solid career track record, interest will exist and won't take long.

Olamilekan Ajayi

More must-reads: