Matt Johnson
The Green Bay Packers were relatively quiet in NFL free agency this offseason, with general manager Brian Gutekunst wanting to preserve compensatory picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. Now that it’s no longer a factor, the team is being connected to a potential role player who is still available.
ESPN‘s Matt Bowen named the Packers as the best fit for free-agent edge rusher AJ Epenesa.
“The Packers lost rotational edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare to the Jets in free agency, so the team could add his replacement in Epenesa. He’s a long, powerful mover who can set the edge with his 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame. He can also create disruptive plays under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon, as he recorded 24.5 sacks and four interceptions in six seasons with the Bills.”
Matt Barrows on AJ Epensa as a fit for the Green Bay Packers
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Once the 2026 NFL Draft is over, free-agent signings have no influence on the compensatory formula for the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s why Green Bay wasted little time in signing veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
There are still obvious areas for improvement on the Packers roster. Green Bay could use an in-line blocking tight end to pair with Tucker Kraft, depth at running back is an issue due to MarShawn Lloyd’s durability issues, and depth at nose tackle is still needed.
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Epenesa, a 6-foot-6 edge rusher, has been a rotational player for the majority of his career. This past season, he played 438 snaps for the Buffalo Bills, and he’s played fewer than 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in five of six seasons in the NFL.
In 2025, Epenesa recorded 12 pressures, 9 quarterback hits and 17 solo tackles with 4 pass deflections, 2.5 sacks and 2 interceptions in 16 games. Set to turn 28 years old in September, Epenesa earned a 48.6 PFF run-blocking grade in 2025 with a 63.5 pass-rushing grade.
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With All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons likely to miss the first four games of the season recovering from ACL surgery, pass-rushing depth is necessary. Signing Epenesa would allow Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to rotate him in along with Karl Brooks, Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr. and Barryn Sorrell.
Realistically, any veteran Green Bay signs in NFL free agency at this point would be landing a one-year contract. Beyond Epenesa, there are also options like Derek Barnett, Dante Fowler Jr., Brandon Graham, and Haason Reddick.
