Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Friday that Hoecht has received a six-game suspension for violation of the NFL's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.
Hoecht and fellow free-agent signing Larry Ogunjobi will both miss the first six regular-season games of the 2025 campaign due to suspension, a development that hurts Buffalo's defensive-line rotation. With Hoecht unavailable to kick off the coming season, the Bills may be motivated to pursue additional depth behind Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa.
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Bills' Michael Hoecht: Heading to Buffalo
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Hoecht is slated to sign a three-year contract with the Bills, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Brown spent the last four seasons with the Rams, appearing in all 68 regular-season games during that span. He made 31 starts off the edge for Los Angeles and totaled 13.5 sacks, including 3.0 as a reserve last season. In Buffalo, Hoecht will provide depth off the edge behind Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa.
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Rams' Michael Hoecht: Fives starts in 2024
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Hoecht played in all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 56 tackles (24 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and two pass defenses. He added seven tackles (one solo), including 0.5 sacks, across the Rams' two playoff games.
Hoecht signed a one-year, $2.96 million contract in March of 2024 to return to the Rams after a career year in 2023, during which he logged career bests in combined tackles (81) and sacks (6.0). He spent most of the 2024 campaign in a rotational role at edge rusher behind Byron Young and Braden Fiske (knee), though Hoecht did manage to start in five of the Rams' six games between Week 7 and 11. The Rams have their edge rushers of the future in Fiske and Young, so it's unclear whether Hoecht will return in a rotational role or join another team when he enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
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Rams' Michael Hoecht: Season-high seven tackles Saturday
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Hoecht tallied seven tackles (two solo) during the Rams' 13-9 win over the Cardinals on Saturday.
Hoecht saw the field for 46 snaps (35 on defense, 11 on special teams) and finished fifth on the Rams in tackling. The fourth-year linebacker out of Brown has served in a rotational role behind Jared Verse and Byron Young for most of the regular season. Hoecht is up to 53 tackles (22 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and two pass defenses through 16 regular-season games, and he'll look to add to those totals against the Seahawks next Sunday.
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Rams' Michael Hoecht: Tendered by Rams
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Hoecht, a restricted free agent, has been tendered by the Rams.
By placing a one-year tender on the restricted free agent, the Rams will have the opportunity to match any contract offer extended to Hoecht by another team. Hoecht is still free to negotiate with other clubs coming off a 2023 season in which he set career highs in tackles (81) and sacks (6.0).
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Rams' Michael Hoecht: Increases production in year three
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Hoecht logged 81 tackles (45 solo), 6.0 sacks and two passes defended during the 2023 regular season over 17 games played.
After ending the 2022 campaign with a role as a starting outside linebacker, the Rams picked up Hoecht's exclusive rights free-agent tender to bring him back for a third season. He was a starter alongside Byron Young, and Hoecht more than doubled his snap count from last season while easily setting career highs in tackles and sacks. One glaring issue with the duo was a lack of pash-rush win percentage, with Hoecht in particular at 11.1 percent (42nd out of 58 qualifying edge players), and pass rusher may be a position addressed by the team in the offseason, which could leave Hoecht looking for a new home in 2024.
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Rams' Michael Hoecht: Will play versus Washington
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Hoecht (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Hoecht finished the week strong, logging a full practice session Friday, and is good to go for Sunday's contest. He has 62 tackles (33 solo), including 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble over 13 games this season.
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Rams' Michael Hoecht: Misses practice Wednesday
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Hoecht (knee) did not participate at the Rams' "jog-through" practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Hoecht was able to play through his knee injury in Week 13 versus the Browns, failing to record a stat while playing 61 defensive snaps, so his absence Wednesday in the estimated practice isn't a major concern. The linebacker will look to return to practice before the end of the week ahead of Sunday's matchup with Baltimore.
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Rams' Michael Hoecht: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Hoecht (knee) was a limited participant in Los Angeles' practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Hoecht popped up on the team's injury report Wednesday with a knee injury. The 26-year-old will look to play against the Browns on Sunday, and Keir Thomas should get the start if Hoecht ends up being unable to play.
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Rams' Michael Hoecht: Records sack in loss
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Hoecht recorded two tackles (one solo), including a sack, in Sunday's 43-20 loss to the Cowboys.
Hoecht was able to snag at least one sack for the second straight week, compiling three combined quarterback takedowns over the last two contests. Through the first eight games of the season, the 26-year-old has registered a career-high 38 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, while also deflecting a pass and forcing a fumble.
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Rams' Michael Hoecht: Stays in Los Angeles
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Hoecht will remain in Los Angeles after the Rams picked up his exclusive rights free-agent tender Monday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Hoecht played at outside linebacker for the back third of last season after Aaron Donald (ankle) was lost for the final stretch of the campaign. In his expanded role, the 25-year-old was impressive enough for the Rams to offer him a tender and ultimately prevent him from negotiating with other teams. It appears likely that Hoecht could remain in his role as an outside linebacker headed into the 2023 season. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder finished last season with 36 tackles (23 solo), 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
