Buffalo Bills Sign Two Free Agents, Even Though They’ll Both Serve 6-Game Suspensions To Begin 2025 Season

Buffalo Bills helmet (Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images)

The Buffalo Bills were aware of pending six-game suspensions for two free agents, but it didn’t stop GM Brandon Beane from signing them anyway.

Once free agency opened, the Buffalo Bills signed veterans Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi to bolster their defense. But Bills fans will need to wait an extra while for Hoecht and Ogunjobi to debut with their team.

Per ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg, Beane told reporters on Friday that Ogunjobi and Hoecht will both be suspended for the first six games of 2025 after testing positive for PEDs. Though the Bills already knew that Hoecht tested positive when they signed him, Getzenberg added that Ogunjobi only learned of his failed test this week.

Ogunjobi’s positive test caused a minor delay in finalizing the contract. His deal is a one-year pact for $8.3 million, while Hoecht signed a three-year contract worth $21 million.

The Buffalo Bills have been more active than usual in free agency this year. Aside from landing Bosa, Hoecht and Ogunjobi, they signed ex-Los Angeles Chargers wideout Josh Palmer to a three-year deal worth $36 million.

Additionally, superstar quarterback and 2024 MVP Award winner Josh Allen agreed to a six-year contract extension worth $330 million.

Buffalo Bills Look To Rebound From Latest Playoff Heartbreak

Josh Allen (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Buffalo won the AFC East division crown for the fifth straight year in 2024 and reached their first AFC Championship Game in four years. However, they fell 32-29 to the archrival Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Bills have won at least 11 games every year since 2020, but the Chiefs have been responsible for four of their five playoff losses this decade. Allen nearly led Buffalo to their first Super Bowl appearance in 31 years, so we’ll see if his group can rebound and finally unseat Patrick Mahomes’ squad in the AFC.