AJ Epenesa 'Happy' to Be With Eagles Instead of Browns

New Philadelphia Eagles defensive end AJ Epenesa is "happy" to be in the City of Brotherly Love instead of Cleveland. 

Epenesa reached free agency this offseason after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills. He and the Browns agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million in March, but Cleveland was uncomfortable finalizing the contract after a subsequent physical.

Epenesa remained a free agent until signing a one-year deal with the Eagles in June.

"I don't necessarily want to go back and talk on that," Epenesa said. "I'll just leave that in the past and just be happy that I'm not a Brown and that I'm an Eagle. ... Very healthy, feeling good, and happy to be here."

Epenesa played in 16 games for the Bills last season. He put up 2.5 sacks, 17 solo tackles, two tackles for loss and nine QB hits. 

The 27-year-old enters this season with 24 sacks, 81 solo tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 53 QB hits and four interceptions. 

The Eagles' defense finished fifth in the NFL in scoring defense last season, giving up only 19.1 points per game. Philadelphia's 56.8% completion percentage allowed led the league, while its 75.4 passer rating ranked second.

Philadelphia won the NFC East last season. However, Jalen Hurts and Co. lost to the San Francisco 49ers at home in the wild-card round.  

Last week, the Eagles signed Jalen Carter to a four-year, $152 million extension worth up to $160 million, including $106 million guaranteed, that now makes him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history. Carter will now be under contract with the Eagles through the 2031 season.

Philadelphia selected Carter with the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Carter has 13.5 sacks, 66 solo tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 37 QB hits in 43 games. He made the Pro Bowl in 2024 and 2025 and helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl during the 2024 season against the Kansas City Chiefs. Carter's 83 pass-rush wins as an interior lineman since 2023 are tied for the seventh most in the NFL.