Joey Bosa is entering a new frontier in his NFL career — unrestricted free agency.
Bosa is now on the open market after he was released by the Los Angeles Chargers following a nine-season spell with the team that drafted him third overall in 2016, a move to save them over $25 million against the salary cap.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Bosa should have plenty of suitors, though his injury history will come into the calculation for teams considering making an approach. Only twice has Bosa completed a full regular-season schedule.
Having been released a week before the start of the new league year, Bosa is free to sign with any team at any time, and there are five that standout as compelling candidates.
thx for everything, joey 💙 pic.twitter.com/PY5ilrLZGb
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) March 6, 2025
Detroit Lions
The Lions’ defense was the reason they were unable to realize their Super Bowl dreams last season, with the loss of star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a gruesome leg injury predictably proving pivotal.
Hutchinson will be back, but the Lions cannot bank on him immediately being the same player right off the bat.
Regardless of how long it takes Hutchinson to get back to his best, the Lions need more impact players on the edge. Za’Darius Smith, whom they traded for following the Hutchinson injury, is bound for free agency, and the chance to be a key contributor for one of the leading contenders in the NFC would surely appeal to Bosa.
Washington Commanders
There is the distinct possibility, however, that the team responsible for ending the Lions’ season also makes a run at Bosa’s services.
For all their surprise success last year, the Commanders’ options on the edge are uninspiring, and acquiring a true difference-maker at that spot should be high on their to-do list.
Having already made one splash move on offense this offseason with their trade for Deebo Samuel, general manager Adam Peters might be wise to make another by betting on Bosa to stay healthy and raise the ceiling of the Commanders’ defensive front.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have a lot of depth on the edge having continually invested in the position in recent years. Though Odafe Oweh broke out last season with 10 sacks, their other young outside pass rushers haven’t delivered much in terms of production.
With the Ravens running a 3-4 defense as the Chargers have long since done, there would be little adjustment needed for Bosa in terms of scheme, and he could have the benefit of operating in a rotational capacity, mentoring Oweh and Co. while also taking some of the burden off Kyle Van Noy.
Van Noy enjoyed a late-career surge in 2024, posting 12.5 sacks. However, he turns 34 later this month and there’s a strong chance that effort could prove to be an anomaly. The Ravens signing Bosa would give them a younger, but still very experienced option and allow him to play in a capacity that would not put too much strain on his body.
Buffalo Bills
No Bills player managed more than eight sacks last season, Greg Rousseau leading the way for Buffalo in the best season of his career, which also saw him post 24 quarterback hits.
With veteran Von Miller a strong candidate to be released, there is potentially a looming depth issue at outside pass rusher for the Bills, though their bigger problem in that area is a lack of heft.
At 280 pounds, Bosa could address both worries. The presence of Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa would mean Bosa could avoid an onerous snap count and, though it cannot be the only move the Bills make on the D-Line this offseason, it’s one they should seriously consider.
San Francisco 49ers
The most obvious has been saved until last.
Joey Bosa has not played on the same team as his brother Nick Bosa since their high school days at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they won a state title. Now comes his best chance to do so again.
The #Chargers star will have options — joining his brother Nick in SF is one of them. His release saved the Chargers $25M against the cap. https://t.co/5zeFo8Upye
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2025
The 49ers were talked up as a trade destination for the elder Bosa last offseason before he ultimately stayed with the Chargers.
But the Niners have a clear need for defensive line help after a typical strength of the team struggled mightily last season. They will likely invest in that area in the draft, but there will certainly be appeal to adding a second Bosa given his track record of production when healthy. The 29-year-old has recorded double-digit sacks in four of the six seasons in which he has played double-digit games.
Considering his checkered injury history and an expressed desire on the 49ers’ part to get younger and be a little tighter with the purse strings, much will depend on the money. However, if the motivation of playing with his brother makes Bosa willing to take a discount, then the 49ers should jump at the chance to add him to the mix.
