With NFL free agency in full swing, teams are focused on strengthening their rosters ahead of next month’s draft.
One familiar name making headlines this past week was former Cincinnati Bengals standout Larry Ogunjobi, who was recently cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers. His release sparked discussions about a possible return to Cincinnati to bolster the team’s defensive line.
However, Bengals fans—including myself—were disappointed to see Ogunjobi sign a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills instead, a move many had hoped would happen in Cincinnati.
That narrative quickly changed, as Ogunjobi, along with fellow free agent signee Michael Hoecht, has been suspended for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
The news of the six-game suspension broke earlier this afternoon, with Bills GM Brandon Beane addressing the situation. “It’s not ideal to have two guys with that, but both guys have never had any issues off the field. It’s a tough lesson of where do you get your supplements or whatever happened,” Beane said, per ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg.
Ogunjobi responded to the suspension with accountability, stating, “I take full accountability. It was a mistake. It was an accident. And I accept my punishment. Sometimes you don’t know what it is. And this is one of those cases. But I think the best thing was to just be honest. … The organization handled it masterfully. They welcomed me with open arms. They understood the situation. They’ve treated me with nothing but open arms and class.”
Ultimately, this situation validates the Bengals’ decision not to pursue Ogunjobi in free agency. The last thing the team needed was a key defensive player missing the first six games of the season.
