A. J. Epenesa is an American football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills as of the 2024 NFL season. The Buffalo Bills selected him as the 54th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He went to Edwardsville High School in Illinois and played both football and discus throw, earning state titles in both. In 2017, he enrolled at the University of Iowa; in his three seasons there, he had a total of 101 tackles and 26.5 sacks for 157 yards. He was also a two-time first-team All-Big Ten in 2018 and 2019.
Throughout four regular seasons, after being drafted, Epenesa has played in 58 games, having a total of 64 tackles, 15.5 sacks, and two interceptions. He had his greatest season as a pro in 2023 after being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the draft. He achieved career highs in 20 tackles, eight passes defended, and two interceptions, and he tied his career high in 6.5 sacks too. He made history in Buffalo's Week 3 victory over Washington by being the team's first defensive lineman to record a pick-six since 2009.
A. J. Epenesa Contract Breakdown
The Buffalo Bills and A.J. Epenesa agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract that included a $4 million signing bonus, $10 million in guaranteed money, and an average salary of $6 million annually as per Spotrac. This contract was an extension of the previous four-year contract Epensesa signed with the Bills in 2020.
| Contract Terms | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | GTD at Sign | Total GTD | Free Agent |
| 2 yr(s) / $12,000,000 | $6,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $6,560,000 | $10,060,000 | 2026 / UFA |
| Year | Age | Status | Base Salary | Signing Proration | Roster | Workout | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2024 | 26 | $2,560,000 | $1,000,000 | $300,000 | $100,000 | $2,812,000 | $6,560,000 | $7,000,000 | |
| POTENTIAL OUT: 2025, 1 YR, $7,000,000; $3,000,000 DEAD CAP | |||||||||
| 2025 | 27 | $4,560,000 | $1,000,000 | $340,000 | $100,000 | $6,287,000 | $4,148,000 | $5,000,000 | |
| 2026 | 28 | Void | - | $1,000,000 | - | - | $2,861,000 | $2,861,000 | |
| 2027 | Void | - | $1,000,000 | - | - | $287,000 | - | ||
How much is A. J. Epenesa getting paid?
As per the contract, in the 2024 season, Epenesa has a $2.56 million base pay, a $1 million signing proration, a $300,000 roster bonus, and a workout bonus of $100,000, leading to a cap hit of $2.8 million as per Spotrac. Further, the contract has a signing bonus of $4 million as well.
How much does A. J. Epenesa make in a minute?
A. J. Epenesa makes $11.4 every minute based on his contract.
A. J. Epenesa Career Earnings
A. J. Epensesa has earned $13 million in total career earnings as of October 2024, according to Spotrac.
What are the terms of A. J. Epenesa Contract?
The contract guarantees $6.56 million at signing, which Epenesa will receive regardless of any future conditions. The latter amount includes the signing bonus and the base salary for the 2024 season.
On the fifth day of the 2025 league season, $3.5 million of the 2025 pay becomes fully guaranteed. Further, $2 million of the 2025 salary is injury-guaranteed from the start of the contract, ensuring the player will receive this amount if injured. The terms of the contract also clarify that the player is entitled to a per-game active bonus of $20,000, totaling up to $340,000 based on the number of games played, as per Spotrac.
How much of A. J. Epenesa Contract is guaranteed?
The Buffalo Bill’s two-year contract with A.J. Epenesa is worth $12 million and has a total guaranteed amount of $10 million.
A. J. Epenesa Contract History
A.J. Epenesa signed a $5.87 million, four-year rookie contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2020 as per Spotrac. The deal included a guaranteed $2.71 million, a signing bonus of $1.83 million, and an average salary of $1.46 million each year. In March 2024, he signed an extension of this contract with the Buffalo Bills.
| Contract Terms | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | GTD at Sign | Total GTD | Free Agent |
| 4 yr(s) / $5,877,299 | $1,469,325 | $1,834,399 | $2,711,550 | $2,711,550 | 2024 / UFA |
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FAQs
A. A.J. Epenesa's average annual earnings are $6 million from his $12 million two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.
A. In week five of the 2022 season, Epenesa was ejected from the game with one minute remaining after he elbowed referee John Hussey in retaliation for being pushed by the former.
A. A. J. Epenesa went to Edwardsville High School in Illinois, in the United States.
A. A. J. Epenesa's height is 6 feet 6 inches, or 198 cm, and he weighs around 260 lb (118 kg).
A. A.J. Epenesa's 40-time was 5.04 seconds at the 2020 NFL Combine.
