ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills will begin the 2024 NFL season without two key additions to their defensive line, as newly signed free agents Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht have both been handed six-game suspensions for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs (PED) policy. The announcement was made Friday by Bills general manager Brandon Beane, dealing an early blow to Buffalo’s revamped defensive front.
“It’s not ideal to have two guys facing suspensions,” Beane acknowledged. “Both of them have never had any prior issues off the field, but it’s a tough lesson about being mindful of where you get your supplements or whatever happened.”
Suspension Details and Impact on the Bills
The suspensions mean that Ogunjobi and Hoecht will not be eligible to play until Week 7. Under NFL rules, they will be permitted to remain at the team’s facility for the first four weeks but will only be allowed to begin practicing with the team after that period.
The Bills were already aware of Hoecht’s situation before signing the hybrid defensive lineman/linebacker to a three-year, $24 million contract on Monday. Hoecht, who previously played four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, took full responsibility for his actions, revealing that he tested positive for testosterone, which was supplied by his long-time trainer.
“I’m ultimately mad at nobody but myself,” Hoecht admitted. “I got complacent. I trusted someone I shouldn’t have trusted. It was a mistake, it was careless, and it’s ultimately my responsibility.”
Ogunjobi, who agreed to a one-year contract with $8 million guaranteed, learned of his positive test result just before arriving in Buffalo on Thursday to officially sign his deal. The veteran defensive tackle, who has played for the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers, has no prior history of PED violations. Last season, he was even the Steelers’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which recognizes players for their excellence both on and off the field.
Ogunjobi’s Response and Bills’ Decision to Move Forward
Ogunjobi expressed uncertainty about the source of the failed test but suspected it could have been due to a tainted supplement.
“I don’t really know what it was,” Ogunjobi stated. “But I believe it was a tainted supplement that I took. Still, I understand the league’s policies, and we as players have an obligation to know what we put into our bodies. I take full responsibility for that.”
Despite the situation, Beane commended Ogunjobi for his honesty about the issue before his B sample was even tested. However, the Bills’ general manager admitted that had they known about the test result earlier, they likely would not have pursued the 30-year-old in free agency.
“We would have probably gone in another direction,” Beane said. “But at the same time, the market for defensive tackles is already drying up. Given that he can still play a role later in the season, we felt there was little choice but to honor our agreement.”
Ogunjobi signed his contract on Friday and praised the organization for how they handled the situation.
“The organization handled it masterfully. They welcomed me with open arms, understood the situation, and showed me support,” Ogunjobi said. “I couldn’t be more excited to get on that field and support my team and this organization when my suspension is lifted.”
Hoecht Reflects on “Lowest Point” of His Career
Hoecht, 27, revealed that he was notified of his positive test result three weeks into the offseason and called it “the lowest point of my entire life.”
“It was careless. It’s fully my responsibility,” he reiterated. “It’s something I’m going to have to own, learn from, and use as motivation moving forward.”
While both players will be sidelined for the start of the season, the Bills will have to adjust their defensive line rotation in the meantime. With a newly restructured defensive front, Buffalo will need to rely on its depth to fill the void left by these two absent players.
As the season progresses, the Bills and their fans will be watching closely to see how Ogunjobi and Hoecht respond once they return to the field. For now, the team must focus on overcoming this setback as they prepare for a challenging opening stretch of the season.
