Buffalo Plus Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Big CHANGES Coming to the BILLS D Line: Who STAYS? Who GOES? Who FITS Better in a NEW SCHEME
Date: February 12, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Theme: An in-depth offseason breakdown of the Buffalo Bills defensive line—analyzing 2025 performance, potential schema shifts under new defensive leadership, roster questions (who returns, who departs), and how players fit into the evolving defense.

Main Theme and Purpose

The Buffalo Plus team dissects the Bills' defensive line situation heading into the 2026 season. With significant schematic changes anticipated under a new coordinator, the hosts debate which players will fit, who’s likely to stay or go, the impact of injuries, recent draft picks, and how the organization’s repeated investments in pass rush have (or haven’t) paid off. There's also forward-looking speculation on possible free-agent or trade additions and reflections on unmet needs that haunt the Bills' championship quest.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The State of the Bills D-Line and Schematic Shift

• The defensive line enters 2026 with looming personnel changes due to a major shift—likely to a 3-4 or hybrid front under Jim Leonhard ([02:38], [15:24]).
• Some positions and player skillsets may fit better (or worse) in the new scheme, sparking debates on future roles and value.

Quote:
"[Switching schemes]...for some players, it's going to unlock something. For other players, it could...they could be a little bit lost." — Mike Catalana [15:02]

2. Player-by-Player Breakdown — DE & EDGE

Greg Rousseau

• Guaranteed to return, but impact debated:
  "He's the only one that's guaranteed to be back as far as a D end is concerned. ...He's a good player who needs to be back. He's not a great player." — Mike [02:38–03:15]
• Likened to “the Khalil Shakir of the D-Line”: solid but not special; best of a weak group ([05:11]).
• Needs a true number one pass rusher across from him to thrive.
• Set the "floor" for D-end play, but falling short of expectations: "He has been polarizing. He's been good, but...he has not been great. And I think that's the frustration." — Jenna [07:59–08:46]

Joey Bosa

• Free agent, not expected back.
  "Tried it, didn't work." — Jenna [13:36]
• Had moments but was targeted in the run game; upkeep ($7.2 million cap hit) not justified ([11:09–13:21]).
• "Even if we all thought...if you could bubble wrap him...I thought he played worse as the season went on." — Dan [11:28]

A.J. Epenesa

• Likely gone, rotational value but never broke out.
• "I'm gonna miss AJ but he's definitely gone." — Mike [17:01]
• A functional role player who didn't live up to second-round expectations ([17:08–18:21]).

Michael Hoecht

• "Played in two games, tore his Achilles...But...the Bills fan base, like, fell in love with him." — Jenna [18:58]
• Versatile, energetic; scheme-flexible, possibly impactful if healthy ([18:58–20:38]).

Landon Jackson

• Third-rounder, out with major injury; early concerns about NFL readiness.
  "I don't think he was ready to play in the NFL...Maybe this injury...getting rehabbed and coming back later will be good for him." — Mike [23:29–24:25]

Javon Solomon

• Small, fast, fifth-round pick, played almost exclusively on special teams; possible fit as role player but must earn a spot ([28:09–29:19]).

3. Player-by-Player Breakdown — Interior DL

Ed Oliver

• "I think they're hopeful that this scheme really works for Ed. ...I do think there is another level for him. ...I guess you could almost argue that he's played out of position a little bit." — Mike [29:48–30:39]
• Could benefit from being moved to a more natural outside technique.
• Possibility of reworking contract if he thrives in the new system.

Dion Walker & TJ Sanders

• Recent high draft picks, flashed at times, but fit uncertain.
• Walker: Large but surprisingly mobile, more like Ed Oliver than a traditional space-eater ([33:02–34:24]).
• Sanders: "Lost year" due to injuries and positional shuffling; needs to find his spot in Leonhard’s defense ([35:02–37:20]).

DaQuan Jones

• Likely gone (age/cap hit), despite being “a good Buffalo Bill.”
  "At some point you drafted these younger players, you're changing this scheme." — Mike [38:09]

Larry Ogunjobi

• Failed free agent swing; suspended and ineffective.
• "Look, it was a failed free agent signing...they honored the contract. Even though...two guys suspended, I mean, it was bad." — Mike [39:36–39:54]

Dwayne Carter

• Injured, role in flux; depth question.
  "He wasn't bad in the Hallmark movie...Just got to see if he can play." — Mike [41:30–41:40]

Depth and Practice-Squad Types

• Zion Logue, Federian Mathis: Minor flashes, but expectation is more competition and churn with new faces, possibly from Broncos/Panthers connections or UW-Wisconsin/Leonhard tree ([42:30–43:44]).

4. Roster Building and Ongoing Needs

• Chronic Bills challenge: Still searching for game-changing pass rusher and “true #1” wide receiver ([13:47], [14:02]).
• Heavy investments in picks and money haven’t translated to dominance or postseason breakthrough.
• Opportunities for younger/cheaper players to seize jobs with so many contracts expiring and a potential scheme fit mismatch ([35:29–36:13]).

Quote:
"Year after year...what year will it be where we don't have to talk about pass rush and wide receiver?" — Jenna [13:47]

5. Looking Forward – Trades, Draft Targets, and Dream Acquisitions

• Repeated, tongue-in-cheek calls for “Max Crosby” as the dream target ([00:00], [10:44–11:04], [40:59]).
• Speculation about making a move for Texas’s T’Vondre Sweat (massive DT) as a possible scheme fit for a run-stuffing/front-eating role ([31:31–33:08]).

Quotes:
"I want Max Crosby so bad. That's all I want. That's all I think about. I just want Max Crosby." — Dan [00:00], [10:44]
"Trondre Sweat...a guy that really piques my interest as that man eater kind of guy in the middle." — Dan [32:39]

6. Notable Player Moments and Anecdotes

• Michael Hoecht’s vibrant personality and impact—on and off field (including a training camp story, [22:14–23:16]).
• Dorian Strong’s serious neck injury and the hosts' hopes for a full recovery post-surgery ([43:58–45:39]).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Defensive End Value:

  • "His [Rousseau's] job: talking about where they rank in the NFL." — Mike [05:55]
  • "You want something better than Rousseau...It's not to help Greg become 1A and 1B. Like, you want Greg to be 2 and you want to go and get a true number one guy." — Dan [09:53]

• On Scheme Fit and Change:

  • "[This is] a substantial change, personnel in the scheme." — Mike [18:21]
  • "We're going to hear this year, he's going to be...in this system, I'm like, in two games under McDermott system, he played well...coming off an Achilles." — Mike (re: Hoecht) [19:14–19:54]

• On Recurring Team Needs:

  • "I feel like we talk about the exact same thing. It's pass, pass rush and wide receiver." — Jenna [13:47]

Timeline of Important Segments

• [02:38] – Rousseau’s role and value, and opening of D-line debate
• [04:32] – The debate on Rousseau vs. Shakir vs. expectations
• [09:53] – The case for needing a true #1 DE, “wanting better than Rousseau”
• [11:09] – Joey Bosa’s season/future examined
• [15:24] – Shift to new scheme, player fits under Jim Leonhard
• [18:39] – Epenesa’s tenure, likely departure
• [19:14] – Michael Hoecht’s impact and injury
• [23:29] – Landon Jackson’s injury, future prospects
• [28:09] – Solomon and special-teams types breakdown
• [29:24] – Ed Oliver’s role in new system
• [31:31] – Trade speculation for T’Vondre Sweat
• [38:02] – DaQuan Jones' likely exit
• [41:14] – Dwayne Carter, depth questions
• [43:58] – Dorian Strong, injury update and hopes

Tone & Takeaways

• Candid, bantering, and grounded in realism, the episode delivers a clear-eyed appraisal of a Bills position group in flux.
• There’s a mix of frustration (at unmet edge-rush potential), hope (in youth and change), and humor (trade dreams for “Max Crosby,” playful jabs among hosts).
• The D-line is at a true crossroads, where youth, health, and adaptability to a new system will determine if the Bills can finally solve their pass rush puzzle—or remain stuck in the same old conversations.

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