The Buffalo Bills faced a major setback at the start of free agency when newly signed defensive linemen Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi were suspended for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Fans across the country were stunned by the NFL’s decision to hand both players a six-game suspension. The team, already in need of reinforcements along the defensive line, must now explore alternative options for the first part of the season. Adding to the controversy, Buffalo signed both players despite being aware of the situation.
However, the suspensions aren’t entirely negative for the Bills. Speaking at league meetings in Florida, general manager Brandon Beane highlighted the financial relief the team will receive.
“Basically, six-seventeenths of their salary comes back off, and so you have that separate from what we worked out in their deals, with their bonuses and how we adjusted each contract, knowing the suspension before they signed,” Beane explained.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Hoecht and Ogunjobi will forfeit their game checks for the first six weeks as part of the league’s effort to deter PED use. While the salary cap relief isn’t significant, it does provide the Bills with some minor financial flexibility. Hoecht will lose approximately $705,882 from his $2 million base salary, while Ogunjobi will forfeit around $110,000. Though the amount is relatively small, it offers a slight silver lining to an otherwise tough free agency development for Buffalo.