The ink wasn’t even dry on the Buffalo Bills’ three-year, $21 million contract with free-agent defensive end Michael Hoecht when the NFL announced he received a six-game suspension for a violation of the league’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs.
Hoecht, who joined the Bills’ defense after five years with the Los Angeles Rams, isn’t shying away from the mistake. The 27-year-old Canadian told WKBW’s Matt Bove he’ll try to use the extra preparation to make sure he’s ready to hit the ground running once the ban is lifted, even though the time away is “going to suck.”
“It’s a bad situation and it’s very much my fault,” Hoecht said. “It’s using that time to get as healthy, as fast, be as mentally prepared, watch all the games, study all the practices, and make sure I’m doing my part so that when I come back we’re ready to roll and can put it behind me.”
The suspension will end following the team’s Week 6 Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Bills have a Week 7 bye. So, the defender’s first chance to play will come in Week 8 when Buffalo visits the Carolina Panthers.
Bills’ Michael Hoecht Accepts Responsibility For Suspension
Hoecht Comments Further About Buffalo Signing
The Brown University product was drafted in 2020, just not by an NFL team. He was selected in the second round of the Canadian Football League draft by the Ottawa Redblacks. He instead opted to continue pursuing his NFL dream, signing with the Rams as an undrafted free agent.
Hoecht cited Buffalo’s closeness to his hometown of Oakville, Ontario, as one of the main reasons he decided to join the Bills during his first foray into free agency.
“This place was just too attractive to turn down, and it seemed like it was going to be too much fun,” he told Bove. “It’s close to home, it’s a really good team, Josh [Allen] just won the MVP, like this is where you want to be right now.”
Oakville is a 90-minute drive from Orchard Park, where the Bills’ Highmark Stadium sits.
“This now feels to me really special that I get to involve all the people in my life from the journey, and we can just bring everybody down,” Hoecht said. “If you see a giant pod of 50 people wearing No. 55 jerseys, you know who they’re there for.”
His first home game with Buffalo is tentatively set for Nov. 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Analyzing The Defensive End’s NFL Track Record
Hoecht spent his rookie year on L.A.’s practice squad. He then spent the 2021 season as a little-used reserve. He finally earned a more expansive role in Year 3.
Since 2022, the edge defender has recorded 173 total tackles, 26 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles across 51 games (28 starts). He hasn’t missed a game because of injury during his NFL career.
Hoecht took a step back in 2024, though. His tackle (56) and sack (three) numbers were both significant decreases from the prior campaign. His 61.3 Pro Football Focus overall grade accurately captures his lackluster play. In turn, it’s a bit surprising he was able to secure a three-year deal in free agency.
At his best, the Super Bowl LVI champion can be an effective edge-setting weapon against the run and a decent complementary pass rusher. It’s unlikely he’ll ever become a consistent double-digit sack artist, however, which limits his upside.
How Hoecht Will Fit In Bills’ Defense Upon Return
Hoecht’s greatest strength may be his versatility. He’s capable of sliding inside, along with playing his standard role on the edge. That’ll give him an opportunity to carve out a niche in the Bills’ defensive line rotation. It’ll be a crowded competition for playing time, though.
Here’s a look at the line group. (Larry Ogunjobi is also suspended for the first six games.)
- Defensive Ends: Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon, Hoecht
- Defensive Tackles: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker, DeWayne Carter, Ogunjobi
“I guess I never really thought of myself as versatile until I got into the NFL and was playing every position,” Hoecht told Bove. “Versatility I really think is about understanding the playbook. And that’s not just knowing the playbook, you really have to understand it to do different spots.”
Now that ability to shift anywhere along the line is his best chance to see the field. Buffalo figures to use a heavy line rotation. Rousseau and Oliver are the only two players who may crack a 60 percent snap share, but even that’s not a guarantee.
Hoecht should see playing time both as an early-down edge-setter and a passing-down interior rusher. He’ll also be a key contributor on special teams.
His involvement could expand in the final two years of the contract. That’s because Epenesa is an impending free agent, and they’ll spend this year competing for the same role. He’ll have to excel in the rotational role to earn that bigger snap count in 2026, though.
