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Michael Hoecht
Michael Hoecht
Michael Hoecht
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Michael Hoecht (/hɔɪt/ HOYT; born October 5, 1997) is a Canadian professional football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Brown Bears.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Hoecht was born in Oakville, Ontario, and lived in Canada until his family moved to Oakwood, Ohio (a community within Dayton, Ohio) when he was three years old. His family moved back to Canada for his first two years of high school, where he lived in Stittsville and went to South Carleton High School, then Toronto where he went to (North Toronto Collegiate Institute), before returning to Oakwood, Ohio, where he attended Oakwood High School for his final two years of high school.[1]

College career

[edit]

Hoecht played for the Brown Bears for four seasons. He was named second-team All-Ivy League as a senior after finishing the season with 42 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, and four sacks.[2] Hoecht finished his collegiate career with 174 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks with two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 37 games played.[3]

Statistics

[edit]
Season GP Defense
Tckl TfL Sck Int FF
2016 7 18 4.0 4.0 0 0
2017 10 45 10.0 5.0 0 1
2018 10 69 6.5 3.5 0 1
2019 10 42 9.0 4.0 0 0
Total 37 174 29.5 16.5 0 2

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
6 ft 3+1⁄4 in
(1.91 m) 		310 lb
(141 kg)
Values from Pro Day[4]

Los Angeles Rams

[edit]

Hoecht was signed by the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL draft on April 26, 2020.[5] He was also selected by the Ottawa Redblacks in the second round of the 2020 CFL draft.[1] Hoecht was waived by the Rams on September 4, 2020, during final roster cuts, and was subsequently signed to the team's practice squad one day later where he spent his first season.[6][7]

In his second year, Hoecht signed a reserve/futures contract with the team on January 18, 2021.[8] Hoecht made the Rams' 53-man roster out of training camp to start the 2021 season.[9] Hoecht played in all 17 regular season games that year with three starts and had seven tackles.[10] In that year, he also played in all four of the Rams' postseason games, including the team's 23–20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.[11]

For the entire 2022 season, Hoecht was on the Rams’ active roster. Midway through the season the Rams moved Hoecht’s position from defensive tackle to outside linebacker. As a starter in the final seven games, Hoecht produced 34 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 8 quarterback hits.[12]

On March 15, 2023, the Rams tendered Hoecht as an exclusive rights free agent for the 2023 season[13] which he signed a week later.[14] Hoecht went on to start every game of the 2023 season opposite rookie Byron Young, logging 6 sacks, 81 tackles, a forced fumble, 7 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits.[15] He helped the Rams clinch a playoff berth and produced half a sack and 2 quarterback hits in their 23-24 loss to the Detroit Lions in the Wildcard Round.

Buffalo Bills

[edit]

On March 14, 2025, Hoecht signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.[16] However, after signing with the Bills, Hoecht was suspended for the first six games of the 2025 season for violating the NFL's PED policy.[17] Hoecht returned from suspension during the Week 7 bye week, and played his first regular season game as a Bill in Week 8, a road game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. He would play again in Week 9 at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. Early in the fourth quarter of the contest, Hoecht suffered a torn Achilles tendon, but notably stayed on the sidelines to cheer on his teammates despite the injury;[18] he was subsequently placed on season-ending injured reserve.[19]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Michael Hoecht

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael Hoecht (born October 5, 1997) is a Canadian professional for the of the (NFL). Raised primarily in Oakwood, Ohio, after being born in , Hoecht attended Oakwood High School before playing at , where he served as team captain and led the Bears with four quarterback sacks in 2018 while recording 69 total tackles. Undrafted in the , Hoecht signed with the as a and spent five seasons with the team (2020–2024), evolving from a player to a rotational defender who contributed to their victory in 2022, appearing in 69 games with 185 combined tackles, 15.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles over his career. In March 2025, Hoecht joined the Bills on a three-year, $21 million contract, marking his transition to a starting-caliber on a new contender. However, after serving a six-game suspension for a performance-enhancing violation, his 2025 season was cut short after just one game when he suffered a ruptured on November 3, leading to his placement on injured reserve and selection of a renowned for repair.

Early life

Family background

Michael Hoecht was born on October 5, 1997, at Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in , , to Canadian parents and Lynne Hoecht. His father, , hails from , while his mother, Lynne, grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, instilling a strong sense of Canadian heritage in the family. Hoecht has an older brother, Alex, who graduated from with a degree in and now works in . The family relocated to Oakwood, —a suburb of Dayton—when Hoecht was three years old in , prompted by Brian's career as an automotive software developer. This move marked the beginning of Hoecht's American upbringing, though the family maintained close ties to , with multiple subsequent relocations, including returns to and during his early teenage years before settling back in . While specific adjustment challenges from the initial cross-border transition are not widely documented, the frequent moves highlighted the family's adaptability, driven primarily by professional opportunities in the automotive sector. Growing up in Oakwood, Hoecht's early exposure to sports was shaped by his family's encouragement and the local American culture, where he developed an interest in athletics as a third-grader, inspired by the vibrant Friday night games of the Oakwood Lumberjacks. His parents' supportive environment, combined with Canada's emphasis on multi-sport participation during brief returns home—such as football and rugby—fostered his physical development and passion for competitive activities. This foundation transitioned into organized in , where he began formal football involvement.

High school career

Michael Hoecht's journey began in following his family's relocation there, where he spent his freshman year at South Carleton High School in and his sophomore year at in . During this time, he played linebacker and . Upon returning to with his family, Hoecht enrolled at Oakwood High School in Dayton for his junior and senior years, transitioning to American in a competitive environment. The move enabled him to access Ohio's robust sports scene, where he primarily lined up as a while also serving as a fullback on offense, demonstrating his athletic range across both sides of the ball. Hoecht's development at Oakwood was marked by strong statistical contributions and accolades. In his senior year of 2015, these efforts earned him the Southwestern Buckeye League Offensive Player of the Year award, highlighting his impact in varsity play. His standout performances drew college recruitment interest, culminating in his commitment to , and cemented his status as one of Oakwood High School's top historical football players.

College career

Brown University

Michael Hoecht enrolled at in 2016, where he played defensive line for the team over four seasons from 2016 to 2019. As a in 2016, he quickly earned a significant role on the defense, appearing in seven games and starting the final four contests of the season. His early contributions helped solidify the Bears' front, drawing on the foundational skills developed during his high school career at Oakwood High School in . Hoecht's role expanded steadily throughout his collegiate tenure. In 2017, he started all 10 games, anchoring the defensive line and providing consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. By his junior year in 2018, he was named a team captain, leading the Bears' defense with veteran presence and helping to coordinate schemes that emphasized run stopping and . As a senior in 2019, Hoecht continued to be a cornerstone of the unit, starting all games and earning second-team All- honors from the league's head coaches based on his disruptive play and leadership; this recognition elevated his profile among scouts and highlighted his growth into a reliable defender. Over his career, he appeared in 37 games, contributing to multiple defensive efforts that kept Brown competitive in the . Academically, Hoecht majored in business and managerial economics, graduating in 2020 while maintaining a rigorous balance with his football commitments. To support himself and stay engaged with campus life, he worked as a tutor at , a role that underscored his intellectual discipline alongside his athletic demands and reflected the Ivy League's emphasis on holistic student-athlete development. This dual pursuit exemplified his ability to thrive in Brown's academically intensive environment without compromising his performance on the field.

College statistics

During his four seasons at from 2016 to 2019, Michael Hoecht established himself as a dominant defensive lineman, recording career totals of 174 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks across 37 games. He also forced two fumbles and recovered four, with no interceptions. These figures underscored his disruptive presence on the line, contributing significantly to Brown's defensive efforts. The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of his key defensive statistics:
YearGames PlayedSolo TacklesAssisted TacklesTotal TacklesSacksTackles for LossForced Fumbles
20167810184.04.00
2017102421455.010.00
2018102742694.06.51
2019102715424.09.01
Career3786881741729.52
Hoecht's statistical output was particularly notable in the context, where defensive linemen often face run-heavy offenses. In 2018, he led the Bears with 4.0 sacks and ranked third on the team with 69 total tackles, placing 10th league-wide in tackles—a strong showing for a junior captain transitioning to a more versatile role. His senior season in 2019 yielded team-leading 4.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss, earning him second-team All- honors and highlighting his elite production among conference peers, where average sacks for defensive linemen typically hovered below 3.0 per season. Overall, his 17 career sacks ranked third in program history, demonstrating consistent excellence that set him apart from counterparts.

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams

Michael Hoecht signed with the as an undrafted on May 11, 2020, initially as a 310-pound after being selected in the second round of the 2020 CFL Draft by the . He spent his rookie season on the team's , facing intense competition during training camp and preseason roster battles against established linemen. His college preparation at , where he demonstrated versatility across defensive line positions, contributed to his initial success in earning a spot despite going undrafted. Hoecht was elevated to the active roster for the 2021 season, making his debut in Week 1 against the as a rotational . Over the course of the year, he appeared in all 17 regular-season games with three starts, recording seven combined tackles while contributing on special teams and in pass-rush situations. In the playoffs, Hoecht played in four games, including a full snap count on special teams during the ' Super Bowl LVI victory over the , where the team defeated their opponents 23-20. In 2022, under defensive coordinator , Hoecht transitioned to a more prominent role, appearing in all 17 games with six starts and achieving 4.5 sacks, including a career-first multi-sack performance with two sacks on in Week 13, helping secure a 27-23 win. He added 1.5 sacks against in Week 16. The finished 5-12 that season, with Hoecht logging 36 combined tackles overall. Hoecht earned an exclusive rights free agent tender from the on March 13, 2023, worth approximately $936,000, which he signed a week later, solidifying his role in the defensive scheme. As a full-time starter in all 17 games under Morris, he set career highs with 81 combined tackles and six sacks, including two sacks on Pickett in a 24-23 victory over the Steelers and a seven-yard sack on quarterback . In the wild-card playoff loss to the , Hoecht started and recorded 0.5 sack. On March 13, 2024, the tendered Hoecht as a with a right-of-first-refusal offer valued at $2.985 million, which he signed on , allowing him to continue as an outside linebacker under new . He appeared in all 17 games with five starts, registering 56 combined tackles and three sacks, such as a key halftime takedown of in Week 4. In the postseason, Hoecht contributed in two games during the ' divisional-round exit, adding to his defensive impacts. Over his tenure with the from 2021 to 2024, Hoecht played in 68 regular-season games, evolving from a player to a reliable edge presence with 13.5 sacks and 180 combined tackles with the , including forced fumbles in critical matchups against rivals.

Buffalo Bills

In the 2025 offseason, Michael Hoecht signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the as a , bringing his experience as a to bolster the team's . The deal included a $4.39 million and $13.43 million in guarantees, positioning Hoecht as a key rotational player on the defensive line. Hoecht's tenure with the Bills was immediately complicated by a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug (PED) policy, announced in March 2025 shortly after his signing and upheld under the league's rules for a first-time offense. The suspension, which the Bills were aware of prior to finalizing the contract, forced Hoecht to miss the first six weeks of the , straining the team's defensive depth early on as they relied on younger players and later acquisitions to fill the edge rusher role. During his absence, Hoecht remained in Buffalo, training independently on local fields to stay prepared, which helped maintain his conditioning. Hoecht was reinstated on October 14, 2025, during the Bills' Week 7 bye, making him eligible for Week 8. In his debut against the on October 27, he recorded 1.5 sacks, three tackles, a forced , and a pass defensed, providing an immediate veteran boost to the Bills' defense with his prior Los Angeles Rams experience. The following week, on November 2 against the , Hoecht contributed 0.5 sack in a shared effort with teammate Greg Rousseau on third down, along with additional pressures, before suffering a season-ending torn right in the fourth quarter on a non-contact play. Despite the injury, Hoecht declined a cart and remained on the sideline to support his teammates during Buffalo's victory. The Bills placed Hoecht on injured reserve on , 2025, confirming the Achilles tear would sideline him for the remainder of the season. He underwent successful surgery on November 5, performed by Dr. , the same surgeon who operated on ' Achilles in 2023. Recovery from an Achilles tear typically requires 6-9 months, positioning Hoecht for a potential return in the 2026 preseason, though his multi-year contract ensures continued tenure with Buffalo amid ongoing rehabilitation. Hoecht expressed optimism post-surgery, stating his intent to return stronger, which underscores the injury's psychological but not career-ending impact on his Bills role. The loss further tested Buffalo's defensive line depth, prompting post-trade deadline signings to address the void.

References

  1. https://torontosun.com/sports/canadian-michael-hoecht-of-the-rams-has-one-super-cross-border-backstory
  2. https://www.buffalobills.com/team/players-roster/michael-hoecht/
  3. https://brownbears.com/sports/football/roster/michael-hoecht/9698
  4. https://www.nfl.com/players/mike-hoecht/
  5. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HoecMi00.htm
  6. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4033234/michael-hoecht
  7. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/48007/michael-hoecht
  8. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46030889/buffalo-bills-linemen-michael-hoecht-larry-ogunjobi-remark-suspensions-ahead-2025-season
  9. https://billswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bills/2025/11/05/injury-update-buffalo-bills-michael-hoecht-achilles-nfl/87103081007/
  10. https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/onsi/michael-hoecht-selects-surgeon-who-operated-on-aaron-rodgers-kobe-bryant-achilles-repair
  11. https://ottawasun.com/sports/football/cfl/ottawa-redblacks/dont-post-future-michael-hoecht
  12. https://www.therams.com/news/6-questions-6connex-michael-hoecht-high-school-football-canada-united-states
  13. https://www.therams.com/news/6-questions-6connex-michael-hoe-cht-high-school-football-canada-united-states
  14. https://3downnation.com/2022/02/13/hoecht/
  15. https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/high-school-football-top-8-players-in-oakwood-history/VTTLJEUJABACVF37A4RJYY3SZQ/
  16. https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/2022/02/10/michael-hoecht-brown-university-defensive-lineman-super-bowl/6654437001/
  17. https://brownbears.com/news/2022/2/12/football-brown-alum-michael-hoecht-on-eve-of-the-super-bowl
  18. https://www.footballdb.com/players/michael-hoecht-hoechmi01
  19. https://3downnation.com/2020/03/04/brown-defensive-tackle-michael-hoecht-no-longer-under-the-radar-ahead-of-cfl-combine/
  20. https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2022/02/michael-hoecht-20-wins-super-bowl-with-l-a-rams
  21. https://www.therams.com/video/rams-michael-hoecht-second-consecutive-sack-broncos-wilson
  22. https://www.therams.com/news/rams-tender-restricted-free-agent-outside-linebacker-michael-hoecht
  23. https://www.therams.com/news/michael-hoecht-signs-restricted-free-agent-tender
  24. https://www.therams.com/video/michael-hoecht-sacks-bears-caleb-williams-week-4-soldier-field
  25. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/de-michael-hoecht-signs-a-three-year-deal-with-bills
  26. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bills-dls-larry-ogunjobi-michael-hoecht-can-return-from-suspensions
  27. https://billswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bills/2025/10/23/bills-michael-hoecht-reveals-what-doing-suspension-workout-nfl/86847989007/
  28. https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/onsi/week-8-review-advanced-metric-highlights-dominant-performance-from-surprise-bills-player
  29. https://www.nfl.com/videos/michael-hoecht-greg-rousseau-combine-for-third-down-sack-vs-mahomes
  30. https://www.buffalobills.com/video/mic-d-up-michael-hoecht-stays-on-bench-to-support-teammates-despite-achilles-tear
  31. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-place-de-michael-hoecht-on-injured-reserve
  32. https://bangedupbills.com/2025/11/02/michael-hoecht-achilles-tear-explained-cause-recovery-and-return-date/
  33. https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/onsi/bills-michael-hoecht-posts-powerful-message-following-season-ending-injury
  34. https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/onsi/transactions-buffalo-bills-sign-potential-michael-hoecht-replacement-two-others-after-trade-deadline
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