Dolphins Interested In Joey Bosa; 49ers Moving Close To Deal?

The Dolphins, who have some familiarity with the Bosa family (albeit decades ago), have entered the mix for Joey Bosa. Although the free agent edge rusher may well join his brother in San Francisco, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicates the Dolphins are expected to show strong interest.

Joey and Nick Bosa‘s father, John, was a first-round Dolphins draftee in 1987. While many changes have obviously occurred since, Dan Marino remains part of the organization. The Dolphins have carved out $25MM in cap space, though the 49ers are holding more than $34MM.

This also may be a foregone conclusion, as the most predictable path appears to still be the most likely. The two active Bosas want to play together, and The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kakakami notes Joey Bosa and the 49ers have engaged in good conversations. Signs are pointing toward Joey Bosa joining his brother and former Ohio State teammate soon, as it might be hard to dissuade the 29-year-old free agent from joining his brother. Joey Bosa has already earned $142MM in the NFL.

A 49ers deal would place Joey in position to start opposite his brother, giving Nick his most talented complementary edge rusher since entering the pros. The 49ers immediately came up as a Joey Bosa suitor, which separates this situation from J.J. Watt‘s free agency in 2021. The Steelers did not emerge as an aggressive participant in the oldest Watt brother’s free agency, though J.J. did say he considered joining T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh.

Joey Bosa’s injury trouble will impact his market, becoming perhaps the defining component, so the two known pursuers will need to weight talent with risk here. The Dolphins remain an injury-riddled operation on the edge, as Bradley Chubb missed all of 2024 with the injury he suffered in Week 17 of the ’23 season. Jaelan Phillips also sustained a season-ending injury for a second straight year. The team did see Chop Robinson show some promise, but Chubb and Phillips have reached career crossroads. Chubb recently accepted a pay cut to stay in Miami; one season remains on Phillips’ rookie deal.

Those injuries left the Dolphins exposed last year, as Shaquil Barrett‘s retirement followed suit. Bosa would not represent the safest bet, but he is one of the most talented players available.