Joey Bosa‘s nearly decade-long stint with the Chargers may be coming to an end. Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post believes the organization will look to move on from their defensive star, while multiple sources told ESPN’s Dan Graziano that they expect the Chargers to cut the pass rusher.
While the front office would surely rather keep Bosa or get something in return for the five-time Pro Bowler, the untenable financial commitment makes the player a prime cut candidate. Bosa is attached to a massive $36.47MM cap hit next season, the highest at his position. The team could save $25.36MM by either cutting or trading the veteran, an option that may be too enticing to deny (even with the Chargers armed with the sixth-most effective cap space in the NFL).
That $25.36MM savings also represents Bosa’s true earnings for the upcoming 2025 campaign, although none of that is guaranteed. As Graziano notes, the pass rusher is due a $12.36MM roster bonus in March, so the Chargers will surely look to make a decision on Bosa’s future before the bonus is due.
Bosa has continued to be productive when he’s on the field. Unfortunately, he’s rarely made it through a season unscathed. After being limited to 14 games before the 2022 and 2023 campaign, Bosa did manage to get into 14 games this past season, finishing with five sacks and 13 QB hits. Still, with only two fully healthy seasons on his resume, any suitors would have to account for Bosa missing at least a handful of contests in 2025.
While the two sides could go back to the negotiating table, Bosa already gave up some money last offseason. Still attached to the five-year, $135MM contract he inked in 2020, Bosa reworked his deal in 2024, saving the Chargers more than $10MM on his projected $32MM cap hit. The front office could once again try to convert some of his salary into bonuses, but they’d still be committed to a healthy cap charge either way.
On the flip side, Graziano notes that the Chargers may have no choice but to hang on to Bosa for at least one more season. That’s because Khalil Mack is hitting free agency, and the organization is prohibited from slapping the star edge rusher with the franchise tag. If Mack is destined to leave Los Angeles, the front office may want to retain some semblance of continuity on the edge.
They could draft someone in the third round and give you same production. He is aging quick with the injuries. Re-allocate those dollars to different needs.
I’m hoping he ends up staying on a reworked contract but it’s looking mighty unlikely
Wonder if Bears trade another 4th round pick and pair Bosa with Montez Sweat.
Why would they do that? A lot cheaper to sign him after he gets cut.
To guarantee his services
He gets cut he’s most likely going to a contender for a chance to win a Super Bowl. Maybe go play with his brother in SF if he’s willing to take a lesser salary.
Why would he pick the bears in free agency? He just spent the last 9 years in SD/LA doing nada come playoff time. Doubt he wants to willingly continue experiencing that going to CHI.
So they should give a quarter of their available salary cap and draft capital for a player that gets hurt a lot and is almost 30?
They did so with Keenan Allen last year. Could have waited till chargers cut Allen but again no guarantee a 32 year old often injured Allen would have signed with the bears in free agency given the choice, he wouldn’t have, he either would have resigned in LA or chased a ring somewhere.
Only way Bosa winds up a bear is if they trade for him. Otherwise he’s signing elsewhere in free agency
Just for headline purposes and overall it would be really cool to see him and Nick team up if he is cut
Trade him to Niners for Deebo Samuel. He plays with his younger brother Nick and adds to the defensive line
This isn’t a terrible idea tbh but not sure the Niners have the cap room to fit in Bosa with all their other signings and restructurings.
He just makes too much money for his production value.
Both teams would want to restructure those contracts. I think you’re right on the teams they’re gonna land with, just gonna happen via free agency instead of a trade
True boss’s cap hit is pretty significant otherwise
Great idea!
lol thanks I’m just spit balling!
The Bears would be kind of fun given that Bosa’s great grandfather was a serious mafioso in Chicago.
Howie season
Ain’t NOBODY taking on the contract via trade. The only way that would be even remotely feasible would be if the Chargers paid some of it down. I’d love to see what Bosa could do opposite Hutch in Detroit, but for about a quarter of what he makes now. Brad Holmes already gambled on Marcus Davenport staying healthy and it bit him in the azz, so I doubt he goes down that road again.