The Buffalo Bills have a major obstacle to get over when it comes to star wide receiver Stefon Diggs. There are reports that the team is privately considering a trade centered around him, which could very well end their Super Bowl aspirations. Without him in the lineup, the offense would suffer greatly.
Alas, that isn’t the only situation that needs the attention of the front office. Next up on their to-do list should be trying to work out an extension with defensive end A.J. Epenesa. The 2020 second-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is someone that the Bills should strongly consider working out a new contract with before the season gets underway.
Epenesa has only been a rotational player for Buffalo in the first three seasons of his career, and that could very well continue in 2023. However, he makes the most of his chances, as he knows how to get into the opponent’s backfield.
Despite playing only 38 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2022, the Iowa product produced. Epenesa recorded 6.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, three hurries and four quarterback knockdowns despite the limited playing time.
There are certainly teams around the league that would be willing to pay a big number to see what Epenesa could do with an expanded role. If he kept up the same rate of production with even 50-55 percent of snaps, he could turn into a double-digit sack-per-season kind of player.
That is something that the Bills should be looking to avoid at all costs. If they want to keep Epenesa around beyond his rookie contract, it is imperative to work out a contract extension before this offseason is over.
The team’s salary cap situation is a bit messy, as the Bills have only $5 million in cap space, but working out a deal with Epenesa would be possible. While his 6.5-sack 2022 was impressive, that true boom season hasn’t occurred yet, so a discount could potentially be had.
But, the offer would have to be strong enough to convince him not to test the open market in 2024. That is a fine line for Buffalo to walk, but one worth figuring out. Veterans Shaq Lawson and Leonard Floyd are both set to hit free agency in 2024 as well, so locking Epenesa up now will take some pressure off of the front office to potentially replace three pass rushers next offseason.
