The Green Bay Packers have been named the best remaining fit for free agent edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, a 6-foot-6 pass rusher who spent his first six NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills. ESPN’s Matt Bowen made the case Monday, pointing to a clear roster need in Green Bay after the team lost rotational edge Kingsley Enagbare to the New York Jets in free agency.
Epenesa, 28, is still available this late in the free agency cycle, which makes him a low-risk, high-upside target for a Packers defense that needs depth off the edge. Bowen’s analysis positions Green Bay as the ideal scheme and culture fit for a player who has been part of a playoff-caliber defense in Buffalo. As the NFL landscape shifts toward more specialized sub-packages, the veteran presence of a player with Epenesa’s physical profile could be the stabilizer the Lambeau Field defense requires.
Why the Packers Need Edge Help
Green Bay’s edge rotation took a hit when Enagbare signed with the Jets, leaving a gap behind Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness. Enagbare served as a vital cog in the Packers’ defensive front, providing the versatility to play both the strong-side linebacker role and the defensive end position. His departure isn’t just a loss of snaps; it is a loss of tactical flexibility in late-game situations.
The Packers finished 2025 middle-of-the-pack in pressure rate, and adding a veteran with Epenesa’s length and experience could strengthen a pass rush that needs more consistency on third downs. The numbers reveal a pattern: Green Bay’s defense ranked 18th in sacks last season, and rotational depth was a factor in late-game breakdowns. In the modern NFL, where offenses increasingly utilize heavy personnel and quick-release passing concepts, the inability to sustain a high-level pass rush through all four quarters has become a glaring vulnerability for Green Bay.
From a cap perspective, Epenesa’s market value has dropped simply because of timing. A player with his snap count and production in Buffalo would normally command a multi-year deal, but being available in late May means the Packers could likely sign him to a one-year, incentive-laden contract with minimal dead money risk. That’s exactly the kind of move GM Brian Gutekunst has made in past offseasons—targeting high-floor veterans who provide immediate value without bloating the long-term salary cap. This approach mirrors the team’s recent strategy of prioritizing draft capital while using free agency to plug specific, high-leverage holes.
What Epenesa Brings to Green Bay
Epenesa has been a rotational piece in Brandon Beane’s defense in Buffalo, logging roughly 35-40% of defensive snaps across six seasons. His tenure in Buffalo coincided with a period of high-octane defensive play, where he learned to navigate the complexities of a high-pressure, high-IQ defensive system. He’s not a double-digit sack guy, but his length and motor make him effective as a situational rusher, particularly in sub-packages where his 6-foot-6 frame can disrupt passing lanes.
The physical profile of Epenesa is unique. At 6-foot-6, he possesses a massive wingspan that allows him to keep offensive tackles at bay, making it difficult for blockers to get into his chest. The film shows a player who wins with effort and bend, not just raw explosiveness. This ‘functional strength’ is highly valued in the modern NFL, where pass rushers must be able to transition from a speed rush to a power move seamlessly. His ability to utilize his long levers to shed blocks makes him a nightmare for shorter, stockier offensive linemen who struggle with reach.
Bowen specifically highlighted the scheme fit, noting that Epenesa’s skill set aligns with what defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley wants from his edge defenders in terms of contain responsibility and ability to set the edge against the run. Hafley, who brings a philosophy rooted in aggressive gap control and man-match principles, requires edge players who aren’t just ‘get-off’ specialists but are disciplined enough to hold their ground. If an edge rusher gets washed out of a gap, it collapses the entire defensive structure. Epenesa’s experience in Buffalo’s disciplined scheme suggests he can handle the transition to Hafley’s more complex responsibilities without a steep learning curve.
Historical Context and Tactical Analysis
To understand the value of a player like Epenesa, one must look at the history of the Packers’ defensive evolution. Historically, Green Bay has leaned on dominant interior linemen or elite, singular edge stars. However, the league has moved toward a ‘depth-first’ model where the difference between the starter and the fourth rotational player is marginal. The Packers’ 18th-place ranking in sacks last season is a symptom of this lack of depth. When Rashan Gary requires rest or faces double teams, the drop-off in production has been significant.
Adding Epenesa would provide a bridge between the high-intensity starters and the younger, developing prospects like Lukas Van Ness. While Van Ness has the athleticism to be a cornerstone, he still requires the seasoning that comes from playing alongside veterans. Epenesa offers a ‘plug-and-play’ capability that allows the coaching staff to experiment with different looks—shifting from a 4-3 base to a 3-4 hybrid—without sacrificing much in the way of edge presence.
Key Developments
- ESPN’s Matt Bowen published his best remaining free agent fits on Monday, May 18, 2026, naming Green Bay as Epenesa’s top destination
- Epenesa spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, appearing in multiple playoff games during his tenure
- Kingsley Enagbare, the rotational edge rusher Epenesa would effectively replace, signed with the New York Jets earlier in free agency
- Epenesa’s availability this late in the cycle suggests his market has cooled, giving Green Bay leverage on contract terms
What Happens Next for the Packers?
The Packers have been relatively quiet in the second wave of free agency, preferring to build through the draft and supplement with low-cost veterans. This measured approach is indicative of the team’s long-term commitment to the roster built around Jordan Love. Signing Epenesa would fit that mold perfectly. Based on available data, a one-year deal in the $3-4 million range seems plausible, with playing time incentives that could push the total higher. This would represent a low-risk investment in a player who has proven he can contribute to winning football in a professional environment.
There’s also the question of health. Bowen’s analysis assumes Epenesa is healthy, which is not a minor caveat for a player who has dealt with injuries during his Bills tenure. In the NFL, longevity is often dictated by the ability to maintain peak conditioning despite the physical toll of the season. The Packers’ medical staff will need to clear him before any deal gets done, ensuring that his 6-foot-6 frame can withstand the rigors of a full 17-game schedule. If the physical checks out, this is the kind of depth move that doesn’t make headlines in May but can pay dividends in December when rotations thin out and pass rush depth becomes critical.
Green Bay’s defense under Hafley showed real improvement in 2025, particularly in the second half of the season, as the unit began to coalesce around a more aggressive identity. Adding a veteran like Epenesa wouldn’t be a splash, but it would be a smart, calculated move to solidify a position group that needs reliable depth behind its starters. As the 2026 season approaches, every addition to the defensive front will be scrutinized for how it contributes to the ultimate goal: returning the Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay.
Who is A.J. Epenesa and why are the Packers interested?
A.J. Epenesa is a 6-foot-6 edge rusher who spent his first six NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills. The Packers lost rotational edge Kingsley Enagbare to the Jets in free agency, creating a roster need that Epenesa could fill at low risk.
What did ESPN say about Epenesa and the Packers?
ESPN’s Matt Bowen named Green Bay the best remaining fit for Epenesa in a May 18, 2026 article, citing the roster vacancy left by Enagbare’s departure and the scheme fit with defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system.
How much would signing Epenesa cost the Packers?
Given his availability in late May, Epenesa’s market value has likely dropped. A one-year deal in the $3-4 million range with playing time incentives is a reasonable estimate based on comparable late-signing edge rushers in recent offseasons.
Is Epenesa healthy heading into 2026?
Bowen’s analysis assumes Epenesa is healthy, which remains the key variable. He has dealt with injuries during his time in Buffalo, so Green Bay’s medical evaluation will be the deciding factor before any contract is finalized.
