Sports analysts have highlighted Epenesa as a potential trade asset if the team’s skid continues. He currently sits fifth on the depth chart behind Jonathan Greenard, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and A.J. Ebiketie, making him a plausible trade candidate for a team looking to shuffle its pass-rush depth. The assessment noted that while he could be expendable, the return for a player in his role might not be substantial.
Epenesa joined the Eagles on a one-year deal worth $1.4 million in June, after a free-agent market that did not yield a higher-paying opportunity. The contract followed his departure from the Bills, where he spent his first six seasons and recorded at least six sacks in three consecutive seasons from 2022 through 2024. His move to Philadelphia came after a planned deal with another team failed to pass a physical, redirecting him to the Eagles.
Previously a second-round pick in Buffalo, Epenesa’s future in the league has drawn attention from teams considering rapid retooling. At one point ahead of the 2025 season, he was identified by NFL analysts as a top trade candidate for the Bills, with commentary noting the team had invested heavily in other edge-rushers and drafted additional players to bolster the position. By 2025, he was in the final season of a two-year, $12 million contract signed in 2024, and questions about his production—recording 2.5 sacks and 9 quarterback hits in 16 games—had implications for his market value in the ensuing free-agent period.
As the season unfolds, observers will watch whether Epenesa remains with the Eagles or becomes part of another team’s plans as the trade window approaches. The evolving situation will depend on team needs, performance, and the decisions made by Roseman and Philadelphia’s coaching staff.
