ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills are grappling with the prospect of beginning their season without two recently signed free-agent defensive linemen due to suspensions. Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht are each facing six-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, as announced by general manager Brandon Beane on Friday.
“It’s not ideal to have two guys with that, but both guys have never had any issues off the field,” Beane remarked. “It’s a tough lesson of where you get your supplements or whatever happened.” The absence of these players disrupts the plans for the Bills’ revamped defensive line, as both Ogunjobi and Hoecht will be restricted from participating in games until Week 7. Nevertheless, according to NFL regulations, they will be allowed to stay within the team facility for the initial four weeks before they can resume practice.
Beane disclosed that the team was informed of Hoecht’s positive test results prior to signing the versatile defensive lineman/linebacker to a three-year, $24 million contract earlier in the week. Hoecht admitted his lapse, revealing that he tested positive for testosterone due to a supplement given by his longtime trainer.
“I’m ultimately mad at nobody but myself. I got complacent. I trusted someone I shouldn’t have trusted,” stated Hoecht, who previously played four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. “It was a mistake. It was careless. And it’s ultimately my responsibility.”
As for Ogunjobi, who secured a one-year deal with $8 million guaranteed, Beane shared that the athlete had just been informed of his positive test result upon his arrival in Buffalo to sign the contract. Ogunjobi, known for his impeccable record, was surprised by the finding, suspecting he took a tainted supplement.
“It was a situation where I don’t really know what it was. But I think it was a tainted supplement that I took,” Ogunjobi mentioned. “But I understand the league, we have an obligation to understand what we put in our body, and I take full responsibility for that.” Beane praised Ogunjobi’s honesty about the situation and his willingness to discuss it even while awaiting further testing results.
Beane also noted that had the team been aware of the positive result earlier, they might have reconsidered pursuing Ogunjobi during free agency. However, due to the shrinking market for defensive tackles, the team decided to honor the agreement made with Ogunjobi, foreseeing his importance in the latter part of the season.
After completing the formalities of his contract on Friday, Ogunjobi expressed gratitude towards the organization. “The organization handled it masterfully. They welcomed me with open arms. They understood the situation,” Ogunjobi stated. “And I couldn’t be more excited to get on that field and support my team and this organization when my suspension is lifted.”
Ogunjobi has had a prolific career, with stints at Cleveland, Cincinnati, and most recently Pittsburgh before joining Buffalo. Meanwhile, Hoecht, at 27, reflected on his situation with regret, labeling the experience as “the lowest point of my entire life.”
“It was careless. It’s fully my responsibility,” Hoecht acknowledged. “And it’s something I’m gonna have to own, something I’m gonna come up on the better side of and use it as motivation and as fuel.”
