As the NFL calendar flips to December, the playoff picture tends to dominate the headlines - and rightfully so. But for front offices around the league, this month also marks the beginning of a different kind of game: evaluating which soon-to-be free agents are worth investing in for the long haul.
In Buffalo, one name quietly floating under the radar is edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, who’s once again playing for a future in Western New York.
Epenesa, a 2020 second-round pick by the Bills, is no stranger to the contract-year spotlight. After a solid stretch from 2022 to 2023 - where he racked up 13 sacks despite not being a full-time starter - the Bills rewarded him with a two-year, $12 million extension in March of 2024. That deal is now nearing its end, and Epenesa is making a late-season push to prove he’s still got more to give this franchise.
He’s not lighting up the stat sheet like he did in previous years, but he’s remained a consistent presence in Buffalo’s defensive rotation. Through this season, Epenesa has posted 2.5 sacks and 25 tackles - already his second-highest total in a single season - and continues to show a knack for making timely plays.
Case in point: Sunday against the Bengals. Following a pick-six by cornerback Christian Benford, Epenesa snagged an interception of his own - a heads-up play after the ball bounced off defensive tackle Jordan Phillips.
That marked Epenesa’s fourth career interception, placing him second all-time among Bills defensive linemen in that category. Only Ron McDole, who had six picks from 1964-1968, has more.
That’s not just a quirky stat - it’s a testament to Epenesa’s awareness and ability to impact the game in ways that don’t always show up in sack totals.
Still, the path to another extension isn’t exactly clear-cut. The Bills have already invested in the edge position, extending Greg Rousseau earlier this year and drafting Landon Jackson in the third round. Add in the presence of Joey Bosa - who’s been the most productive pass rusher on the team this season, albeit likely a one-year rental - and the room starts to feel a bit crowded.
Javon Solomon has also emerged as a sneaky-good contributor off the edge, though he’s not quite ready for a full-time starting role. And the Bills have other contract decisions looming as well, with key players like Connor McGovern, DaQuan Jones, and David Edwards all set to hit free agency. With limited cap space and multiple roster holes to address, Buffalo’s front office will have to make some tough calls.
So where does that leave Epenesa? At 26 years old, he’s still in his prime and brings value as a rotational piece who can impact both the run and pass game. But unless he turns in a dominant stretch over the next few weeks - something that would force Buffalo’s hand - there’s a real chance he could be suiting up for a different team in 2026.
For now, Epenesa’s focus will be on helping the Bills make a playoff push. But come March, he’ll be one of several names to watch as Buffalo shapes its next defensive core.