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The Cleveland Browns have recently discovered that a signature is only as good as a clean bill of health. The front office goes back to the drawing board on a one-year agreement between the Browns and former Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa, as it has officially fallen through.
The deal, which was worth up to $5 million, collapsed on Sunday following an unexpected turn during the veteran's medical evaluation.
What changed everything
In a place like the NFL, the physical exam is the final hurdle before starting a new experience. For Epenesa, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound specialist known for his disciplined technique, a red flag during this process was the last thing he expected.
Sources indicate the franchise was uncomfortable with a specific finding in the medical reports. While the exact nature of the issue has not been disclosed yet, the situation draws immediate parallels to the high-profile trade between the Ravens and Raiders for Maxx Crosby, though league insiders note this defensive end shuffle occurred on a much smaller financial scale.
What the Browns are missing
Epenesa was meant to be the third piece in a formidable edge-rushing rotation. Entering his seventh season, he was expected to provide situational pressure alongside a defensive room anchored by 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, Alex Wright, and Isaiah McGuire.
While Pro Football Focus ranked him 90th among the edge rushers, his size and strength made him an ideal "glue guy" for a championship-caliber defense. Now, with the Epenesa deal cancelled, the Browns find themselves back in the market for pass-rush depth at a critical crossroads.
Fortunately for Cleveland, they possess significant draft capital to address the void.The organization is expected to pivot toward the upcoming NFL Draft, where they hold a winning hand, with a No. 6, 24 and 39 overall picks.
With three selections in the first two rounds, the Browns have the ammunition to snag a premium young pass rusher who can develop under the tutelage of Garrett.