Orchard Park, NY (WGR550) - Buffalo Bills edge rusher Michael Hoecht had to wait seven games before he suited up last season due to a league-mandated suspension. But when he finally did, he wasn't just good, he was downright dominant.
That lasted just six quarters before Hoecht tore his Achilles in the team's Week 9 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
In those six quarters, Hoecht, acquired a free agent from the Los Angles Rams last offseason, registered two sacks, five tackles, including one for loss, and two quarterback hits. This all came in just 64 total snaps.
But he missed the rest of the season while rehabbing to be ready for 2026.
Now 2026 offseason workouts are happening and, as most of his his teammates are practicing, Hoecht is working on the sidelines with athletic trainers.
The Bills will open the regular season on September 13 at the Houston Texans. Hoecht wants to be ready for that contest. But his goal is even more ambitious than that.
“They keep telling me not to put any dates on it," he told reporters after Tuesday's voluntary Organized Team Activity. "I'm gonna try and be ready to go for camp. But the whole thing is to be ready for week one.”
Hoecht, who brings an infectious energy, is a great chess piece for new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard to move around the defense. He can play on the outside or inside as a pass rusher.
"I think it can be a lot of fun," he said of Leonhard's scheme and his fit. "I think it's going to be like a very creative, very fun-looking defense. A lot of moving pieces. Excited for it so far."
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