Why Browns Reportedly Backed Out of AJ Epenesa Contract After Agreeing to Deal in NFL Free Agency

The Cleveland Browns reportedly backed out of their agreed-upon free-agent deal with pass-rusher AJ Epenesa this week due to a medical concern.

According to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi, the Browns were "uncomfortable finalizing the deal" after Epenesa recently underwent a physical.

ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported on March 18 that Epenesa and the Browns had agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million.

The Browns' decision to not sign Epenesa is reminiscent of what happened earlier this offseason between Maxx Crosby and the Baltimore Ravens, albeit on a smaller scale.

Baltimore had agreed to trade two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Crosby, however, after the five-time Pro Bowler underwent his physical, the Ravens decided to back out of the deal, and Crosby was returned to the Raiders.

Crosby underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee in January, and he was in the midst of rehabbing the injury when the Ravens agreed to trade for him.

The issue related to Epenesa's physical is less clear, as he appeared in all 17 regular-season and three playoff games for the Buffalo Bills in 2024, and 16 out of 17 regular-season games and both playoff games last season.

Epenesa, 27, was originally a second-round pick by the Bills out of Iowa in the 2020 NFL draft.

He has spent his entire six-year NFL career in Buffalo thus far, appearing in 91 regular-season games and starting 19 of them.

Epenesa has recorded 135 tackles, 24 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 21 passes defended and four interceptions during his career.

Last season, Epenesa finished with 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four passes defended and two picks.

Although his string of three consecutive seasons with at least six sacks came to an end, Epenesa cemented his status as one of the best in the league at batting passes at the line of scrimmage, and even intercepting them on occasion.

With the Epenesa deal falling through, the Browns will now have to look elsewhere for edge depth to complement reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, either via free agency or the upcoming draft.