Bills Central

Bills' free-agent signing labeled offseason's 'sneakiest'

Brandon Beane and the Bills have been busy getting contract extensions done, and filling holes through free agency. One particular signing stands out.
Ronnie Eastham|
Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

In this story:

Buffalo Bills | News, Scores, Schedules & Standings

The Buffalo Bills' Achilles heel, one season ago, was their inability to get consistent pressure on the quarterback, and it proved to be their undoing against the Chiefs in the AFC title game.

But, there were other needs that stood out as well, such as their starting corner opposite newly extended Christian Benford, previously manned by Rasul Douglas. Douglas is a free agent and has not signed with anyone still, so he could potentially return to the Bills.

Bills' general manager Brandon Beane, addressed both areas via free agency. He signed edge Joey Bosa and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, while also bringing corner Dane Jackson back to Buffalo. One signing in particular caught the eye of an NFL writer from Clutchpoints, Ben Strauss, calling it the "sneakiest" signing of the 2025 free agency period for the Bills.

Strauss added, "Hoecht is an incredibly versatile defensive lineman who could bring a lot to the Bills. He has never missed a game, playing in all 17 games over the past four seasons." Strauss also added, "Hoecht brings some excellent pass-rush juice off the bench."

Buffalo Bills, Michael Hoecht
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It's unknown how Bills' defensive coordinator Bobby Babich will utilize the play-everywhere defender, but he will be a terrific chess piece to move around and put him in advantageous situations to make plays.for the Bills defense in 2025.

Hoecht signed a three-year contract for $21 million. In his four seasons in the league, he's produced 13.5 sacks, and could significantly add to that number in 2025. The Bills are expected to utilize him as a big part of the Bills pass rush rotation, that includes returning edge defenders A.J. Epenesa and Greg Rousseau, and newly signed Bosa.

—  Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI  —

More Buffalo Bills News:

Published
Ronnie Eastham
RONNIE EASTHAM

Ronnie began covering the NFL and the Buffalo Bills three years ago, including content across outlets such as FanSided, Buffalo Rumblings podcasts, On SI and video content for Built In Buffalo.

Share on XFollow RonnieEastham
Home/News