Overview
- ESPN reported Sunday night the Browns would not finalize their one-year, up-to-$5 million agreement after concerns from A.J. Epenesa’s physical, sending him back to free agency.
- Epenesa, a six-year Bills veteran with 24 career sacks in 91 games, had reached terms on March 18 and visited Cleveland’s facility last Monday as part of onboarding.
- The club has not disclosed any specific medical findings, and Epenesa has never missed more than three games in a season.
- Cleveland now heads into the draft with less depth at defensive end after expecting Epenesa to fill a rotational role behind Myles Garrett and Alex Wright following Cameron Thomas’ departure.
- This outcome mirrors other offseason reversals tied to medical evaluations, such as Baltimore stepping away from a Maxx Crosby trade, highlighting how a passed physical is the last hurdle before a deal becomes official.