Iowa's AJ Epenesa Says He's 'Happy That I'm Not a Brown' After Cleveland Deal Collapses

Former Iowa Hawkeyes star AJ Epenesa is making headlines again, but this time it's not for his play on the field. The veteran edge rusher, who spent the offseason expecting to join the Cleveland Browns, is now with the Philadelphia Eagles and has made it clear he's relieved things didn't work out in Ohio.

Epenesa, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Iowa, called his brief and failed stint with the Browns a 'weird situation' during Eagles training camp this week. He declined to go into detail about why the deal fell apart, but he didn't hold back his feelings about the outcome.

'Cleveland, you know, it was a weird situation, but I don't necessarily want to go back and talk on that in just a weird sense,' Epenesa said Tuesday, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. 'I'll just leave that in the past, and just be happy that I'm not a Brown, and that I am an Eagle.'

How the Browns Deal Fell Apart

Reports indicate that Epenesa agreed to a one-year contract with Cleveland at the start of free agency. But the Browns pulled the offer after concerns surfaced during his physical. The exact timing is a bit fuzzy. NFL.com reported the agreement in March, while other outlets described a May signing that was voided just 11 days later. Either way, the result was the same: Epenesa was left unsigned for months.

That created an unusual offseason for a player who had spent his first six NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo drafted Epenesa with the No. 54 pick in 2020 after his standout college career at Iowa. He entered free agency at 27 with six years of professional experience and no team after the Cleveland deal evaporated.

Epenesa's Health and Immediate Role With the Eagles

Epenesa didn't just find another roster spot. He joined an Eagles edge group that may need him sooner than expected. Jonathan Greenard is sidelined with a pectoral injury, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio suggested the absence could be a long one. That puts a premium on depth behind Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, and Nolan Smith.

Epenesa's health is therefore a key factor. He told ESPN after Tuesday's practice that he's feeling great.

'Very healthy, feeling good, and happy to be here,' Epenesa said.

What This Means for Iowa Fans

For Iowa Hawkeyes fans, Epenesa's story is one of resilience. He entered the NFL with high expectations after a dominant college career, and while his pro journey has had its ups and downs, he's now in a position to prove his worth. The one-year deal with Philadelphia gives him a clear opportunity to earn snaps in a defense dealing with an injury, help an edge group that needs him, and return to free agency in 2027 with fresh film.

The Browns chapter will continue to draw attention because the agreement collapsed before Epenesa played a snap for Cleveland. His latest comments add emotion without supplying every answer. He has chosen to leave the medical discussion alone and focus on the team that signed him.

Cleveland made its decision. Philadelphia made another. Epenesa now has a direct chance to shape how the story is remembered. And for Iowa fans, that's a story worth watching.

FAQ: AJ Epenesa and the Browns Deal

Why did the Browns pull their offer to AJ Epenesa?

The Browns reportedly had concerns about Epenesa's physical. The exact nature of those concerns has not been publicly explained, and Epenesa has chosen not to discuss the details.

What team did AJ Epenesa sign with after the Browns deal fell through?

Epenesa signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in June.

How did AJ Epenesa perform at Iowa?

Epenesa was a standout defensive end for the Iowa Hawkeyes, earning All-Big Ten honors and being selected with the No. 54 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.