After the New York Jets lured away defensive end Kingsley Enagbare, the Green Bay Packers did basically nothing to replace him. Everyone is rightfully excited about fourth-round rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton, but he is, after all, a rookie.
He's also just one player. On top of Enagbare's departure, Rashan Gary is gone, too. Micah Parsons could miss the Packers' first four games on the PUP list. Green Bay is betting on internal improvement from a healthy Lukas Van Ness and a sophomore Barryn Sorrell. Still, the pass rush could use another body on the outside.
One candidate to fill the Enagbare void, observes ESPN's Matt Bowen, is free agent defensive end AJ Epenesa. After he failed his physical with Cleveland, he is back on the market. Perhaps Green Bay is brave enough to bring him in on a discount.
AJ Epenesa could be exactly what Packers need in 2026
As Bowen highlights, Epenesa would be a perfect fit for Enagbare's rotational role last season. The six-year Buffalo Bills veteran was not quite as effective in 2025 as in prior years. His 2.5 sacks in 16 games played were his fewest in four seasons. From 2022 to 2024, though, Epenesa secured six to 6.5 sacks per year while also averaging 7.3 tackles for loss.
He is a pass-rush specialist, meaning that he should not be on the field in run-heavy sets. But that was Enagbare's function, anyway, and Epenesa's knack for playmaking goes beyond just rushing the passer. Twice in the last three seasons, in 2023 and 2025, he came up with two interceptions, an uncanny feat for an edge rusher.
At 6-foot-6, Epenesa uses his length to be a nuisance in passing lanes. Per Pro Football Focus, his three batted passes ranked seventh at the position last season, despite logging only the 80th-most snaps.
His price tag should be low. The Browns reportedly agreed to a one-year contract worth as much as $5 million before failing Epenesa on his physical. After that, the Packers could likely get him for less.
The specific health concerns that made Cleveland back out have not been revealed. But, at least based on his track record, there's nothing to be alarmed by. Epenesa has appeared in 14 games or more every season, including 33 over the past two. In 2025, he missed one game with a concussion.
Epenesa is not a long-term solution for Green Bay, but he is the epitome of a stopgap and a rotational boost while Parsons rehabs and young players like Dennis-Sutton, Sorrell, and Collin Oliver develop.
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