Eagles sign DE A.J. Epenesa after deal with Browns falls through

Field Level Media|published: Wed 10th June, 19:59 2026

Nov 16, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) warms up prior to the game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Eagles signed A.J. Epenesa on Wednesday after the former Buffalo Bills defensive end failed a physical with the Cleveland Browns.

The Eagles did not announce terms of the contract with Epenesa, who in March agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million with Cleveland, according to reports. The Browns opted out after Epenesa, 27, failed his medical evaluation, per reports.

Epenesa played in 16 regular-season games (two starts) for the Bills in 2025 and totaled 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. He added two tackles in two playoff games.

Buffalo selected Epenesa in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Iowa.

For his career, Epenesa has amassed 135 tackles, 24 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, 53 QB hits, four interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 21 passes defensed in 91 regular-season games (19 starts). He also has 17 tackles in 14 playoff games (three starts).

Philadelphia also signed guard Michael Jordan on Wednesday and waived linebackers Chandler Martin and Isiah King.

Jordan, 28, started nine of the 11 games he played last season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has appeared in 78 games (49 starts) for the Cincinnati Bengals (2019-20), Carolina Panthers (2021-22), New England Patriots (2024) and Bucs.

The Eagles also released three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Za'Darius Smith from their reserve/retired list, which indicated he might want to continue playing. Smith, 33, played five games (two starts) for Philadelphia last season before retiring on Oct. 13. He had 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits.

For his career, Smith has 343 tackles, 70.5 sacks, 87 tackles for loss, 176 QB hits, 10 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 145 regular-season games (98 starts) for the Baltimore Ravens (2015-18), Green Bay Packers (2019-21), Minnesota Vikings (2022), Cleveland Browns (2023-24), Detroit Lions (2024) and Eagles.

--Field Level Media

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