Rams’ Head Coach Slams Bills for Snatching Michael Hoecht

Los Angeles, CA – April 1, 2025

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay didn’t mince words at the NFL Annual Meeting, blasting the Buffalo Bills for poaching edge rusher Michael Hoecht with a 3-year, $24 million deal, sources told ESPN Tuesday. The Bills swooped in during free agency’s first wave, signing the 27-year-old with $15 million guaranteed, a move that left McVay fuming after losing a key piece of his defensive puzzle. With Buffalo’s cap space at $3.9 million pre-signing (Spotrac), GM Brandon Beane restructured contracts to make it work, but McVay wasn’t buying the Bills’ excuse. “They stole a guy we built up,” McVay snapped to reporters at the NFC Coaches Breakfast. “It’s a cheap shot.” Hoecht’s debut is delayed—he’s suspended six games for a PED violation (Web ID: 0).

Hoecht’s 2024 with the Rams was a breakout—68 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, and 2 forced fumbles in 17 games (NFL.com). Over four seasons, the 6’4, 310-lb defender racked up 180 tackles, 26 QB hits, 15 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks across 68 games, shifting seamlessly from D-line to linebacker. His versatility fueled LA’s rush schemes, mentoring rookies Jared Verse and Byron Young (Web ID: 0). “He was our Swiss Army knife,” McVay grumbled, lamenting the loss of a player who logged 89% of snaps in key situations. Bills fans, meanwhile, await his week 3 debut.

For Buffalo, Hoecht slots into a revamped D-line with A.J. Epenesa, Greg Rousseau, and Joey Bosa, bolstering a unit ranked 10th in sacks (47) in 2024 (ESPN). Bills Mafia buzzed on X: “McVay’s mad? Good—Hoecht’s ours!” But the Rams feel the sting—losing Hoecht’s leadership and flexibility guts their edge depth, forcing a youth pivot (Web ID: 0). McVay’s jab at Buffalo’s “sneaky grab” heats up an inter-conference feud—will Hoecht prove worth the wrath?