Eagles add 24-sack pass-rusher after failed Browns deal

After losing former first-round pick Jaelan Phillips in free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles have been on a mission to beef up their pass-rush this offseason.

The team signed former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Arnold Ebiketie and traded for Pro Bowl edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings during the 2026 NFL draft, and on Wednesday Philadelphia added another piece to its pass-rush puzzle.

“Eagles signed former Bills DE A.J. Epenesa,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted on X. “Epenesa originally was Buffalo’s 2020 second-round pick. He planned to sign with the Browns in March, but didn’t pass his physical. Now he lands in Philadelphia.”

The 27-year-old Epenesa originally agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with the Cleveland Browns back in March, but the team backed out after he took his physical.

The Baltimore Ravens did something similar after agreeing to trade two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for star defensive end Maxx Crosby. Baltimore backed out of the deal after Crosby reportedly failed his physical.

Across six seasons with the Bills, Epenesa totaled 158 pressures, 98 hurries, 33 QB hits, 24 sacks, 135 tackles, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, four interceptions, 21 passes defended, and one defensive touchdown, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Eagles ranked 12th in sacks last season (42), but they lost Phillips, Brandon Graham, and Nakobe Dean, who combined for 67 pressures, 49 hurries, nine QB hits, and nine sacks last season.

Fortunately for the Eagles, they do return Jalyx Hunt (60 pressures, 36 hurries, 6.5 sacks), Moro Ojomo (54 pressures, 44 hurries, six sacks), Jalen Carter (46 pressures, 33 hurries, three sacks), and Nolan Smith (36 pressures, 26 hurries, three sacks).

Those four paired with Greenard, Epenesa, and Ebiketie should more than make up for the lost pass-rush production from a season ago.

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