Browns Cut Epenesa After Red Flags, Draft Focus Shifts

0:00On March 30, Cleveland Brown's General Manager Andrew Berry aimed to boost the pass rush after the 2025 season by signing defensive end. AJ Epinessa from the Buffalo Bills to a one-year, $5 million deal back on March 18. Epinessa, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, brings six years of experience with solid production, including 19 Sacks and 31 quarterback hits from 2022 to 2024. So he managed just 2.5 Sacks last year in 16 games. The plan was for him to back up star Miles Garrett, filling depth lost when they shipped out Cameron Thomas to the Atlanta Falcons, but that spot now. Goes to guys like Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire opposite Garrett. Fast forward to Sunday, and the Browns pulled the plug on the deal after red flags popped up during Epinessa's visit to their Berea facility and shaky physical, echoing a smaller drama the Ravens had with Max Crosby.

1:00Now Julian O'Qara and Sam Kamara hold down backup duties after resigning in free agency, while Berry eyes the draft from April 23 to 25 to snag fresh pass rushing talent and keep the line fierce.