🚨 Bills Lock Down Key Edge Rusher Early: Preemptive Re-Sign Secures Depth Amid Jackson’s Crushing Knee Blow

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – November 12, 2025 – In a swift and calculated move that underscores the Buffalo Bills’ relentless pursuit of stability, general manager Brandon Beane announced Wednesday the re-signing of a pivotal defensive end just weeks ahead of the 2025 offseason contract deadline. The extension comes at a critical juncture, as the team grapples with the fallout from rookie Landon Jackson’s devastating knee injury, which has cast a long shadow over Buffalo’s pass-rush rotation.

The Bills, clinging to a 6-3 record after Sunday’s 30-20 defeat to the Miami Dolphins, have been hammered by injuries along the defensive line this season. Jackson, the third-round pick out of Arkansas, was poised for a breakout opportunity in Week 10—his first meaningful snaps since training camp. But just two plays into the contest, the 6-foot-7 edge rusher crumpled to the turf at Hard Rock Stadium, clutching his right knee after a routine run play involving Dolphins back Ollie Gordon. Ruled out immediately, Jackson underwent MRI imaging Monday, revealing tears to both his MCL and PCL ligaments. While full recovery is anticipated, insiders peg his return timeline at a minimum of 8-10 weeks—potentially sidelining him through the playoffs and thrusting the Bills into a depth crisis just as their Super Bowl aspirations intensify.

“It’s a gut punch for a young guy who’s worked his tail off to earn this chance,” Beane said in a team statement. “Landon’s resilience is unmatched, and we’re committed to his rehab. But football waits for no one. This re-signing isn’t reactive—it’s proactive. We’re building a roster that can weather these storms and come out swinging.”

The beneficiary of this foresight? None other than A.J. Epenesa, the 27-year-old Iowa product whose breakout 2024 campaign—highlighted by a career-high 6.5 sacks and a pick-six against Washington—earned him a two-year, $12 million extension last March. That deal, which carried Buffalo through the 2025 season with a $6 million cap hit, was set to expire in free agency. In a preemptive strike, the Bills have inked Epenesa to a three-year, $24 million pact (with $15 million guaranteed), including performance incentives tied to sacks and pressures. The move not only locks in a proven commodity but also spreads the financial burden across future cap sheets, giving Beane flexibility amid ongoing negotiations for Josh Allen’s long-term deal.

Epenesa, who stepped up as a full-time starter in 2024 amid a rash of injuries to Von Miller and others, has been the unsung hero of Buffalo’s front seven. His 39 tackles, two forced fumbles, and league-leading 15.5 pressures from the edge last season drew praise from defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, who called him “the glue that holds our rotations together.” With Jackson out and veterans like Michael Hoecht sidelined by a season-ending Achilles tear, Epenesa’s reliability becomes even more vital. He’s already logged 12 pressures through nine games this year, including a strip-sack on Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in Week 5 that shifted momentum in a Bills victory.

“This is home,” Epenesa said via Zoom from the team’s facility, where he’s been mentoring rookies like Jackson. “Buffalo’s given me everything—trust, opportunity, a shot to prove myself. Extending now? It means I can focus on the field, not the future. And for Landon? Kid’s got heart. He’ll be back terrorizing QBs before we know it.”

The timing couldn’t be more poignant. Buffalo’s defensive line, once a strength under Sean McDermott’s schemes, has been depleted: Ed Oliver remains on IR with a biceps strain, and the edge group now leans heavily on Greg Rousseau and Javon Solomon. Epenesa’s extension—below the projected $22.5 million market value per Pro Football Focus—represents savvy cap management, freeing up roughly $3 million in 2026 space for potential bolstering at corner or wide receiver.

Fan reaction poured in swiftly on social media, with #BillsMafia trending alongside #EpenesaExtended. “Smartest move Beane’s made since drafting Allen,” one supporter tweeted, echoing a sentiment that’s propelled Bills tickets to sell out for the upcoming home tilt against the Jets.

As the Bills pivot toward a must-win Thursday night clash in Week 11, this re-signing injects much-needed certainty into a turbulent season. Jackson’s setback stings, but Epenesa’s commitment signals Buffalo’s unyielding blueprint: Depth breeds dominance. In a league where one snap can alter trajectories, the Bills are betting on proven pieces to carry them through the cold.

For now, the focus sharpens on recovery and redemption. Highmark Stadium awaits its next chapter—and with Epenesa anchored, the Mafia’s roar grows louder.

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