What Happened to Joseph Anthony Bosa?
Joey Bosa is an American professional football defensive end who was drafted 3rd overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2016. After a highly productive but injury-plagued tenure with the Chargers, he was released in March 2025 and subsequently signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. As of March 2026, Bosa is an unrestricted free agent, with strong speculation linking him to the San Francisco 49ers to play alongside his brother, Nick Bosa.
Quick Answer
Joey Bosa, a five-time Pro Bowl defensive end, was released by the Los Angeles Chargers in March 2025 due to salary cap considerations and a history of injuries. He then signed a one-year, $12.6 million contract with the Buffalo Bills for the 2025 season, where he led the NFL with five forced fumbles. As of March 10, 2026, Bosa is an unrestricted free agent, widely expected to depart from the Bills, with significant speculation that he may join the San Francisco 49ers to play with his brother, Nick Bosa.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Joseph Anthony Bosa was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to a family with a strong football background.
CFP National Champion & Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
As a sophomore at Ohio State, Bosa was a key player on the team that won the CFP National Championship and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Drafted by San Diego Chargers
Joey Bosa was selected as the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.
Named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Despite missing the first four games due to a hamstring injury and a contract holdout, Bosa finished his rookie year with 10.5 sacks and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Signed 5-year, $135 Million Extension with Chargers
Bosa signed a lucrative five-year, $135 million contract extension with the Chargers, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL at the time.
Suffered Core Muscle Injury, Missed 12 Games
Bosa sustained a significant core muscle injury in Week 3 of the 2022 season, requiring surgery and sidelining him for 12 games.
Sidelined with Foot Injury, Missed 7 Games
Bosa was sidelined for the final seven games of the 2023 season due to a foot injury, continuing a trend of injury-shortened seasons.
Named to 2025 Pro Bowl Games (Alternate)
Despite battling injuries in the 2024 season, Bosa was named to his fifth career Pro Bowl as an alternate, recording five sacks and 13 quarterback hits.
Released by Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers released Joey Bosa, a move that saved the team $25.36 million in salary cap space and ended his nine-season tenure with the franchise.
Signed with Buffalo Bills
Bosa agreed to a one-year, $12.6 million deal with the Buffalo Bills, seeking a fresh start and aiming to boost their pass rush.
Led NFL in Forced Fumbles
In his first season with the Bills, Bosa played 15 regular-season games, recording five sacks and leading the NFL with five forced fumbles.
Suffered Hamstring and Wrist Injuries
Bosa was listed as 'week-to-week' after sustaining hamstring and wrist injuries in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, impacting his availability late in the season.
Unrestricted Free Agent
As of today, Joey Bosa is an unrestricted free agent, with widespread reports indicating he is expected to leave the Buffalo Bills.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Joey Bosa's NFL career began with high expectations after being selected third overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2016 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the league's premier pass rushers, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 and making four Pro Bowls in his first six seasons. His dominance was evident through multiple double-digit sack seasons and a career-high seven forced fumbles in 2021.
However, Bosa's tenure with the Chargers was increasingly marked by a series of significant injuries. From 2022 to 2024, he battled groin, foot, and back issues, limiting him to just 28 games over those three seasons. Despite these setbacks, he still managed to earn a fifth Pro Bowl selection in 2024 as an alternate, recording five sacks in 14 games. The financial implications of his large contract, a five-year, $135 million extension signed in 2020, combined with his injury history, led the Chargers to release him on March 5, 2025, saving the team over $25 million in salary cap space.
Following his release, Bosa signed a one-year, $12.6 million 'prove-it' deal with the Buffalo Bills on March 11, 2025. With the Bills, Bosa played in 15 regular-season games during the 2025 season, demonstrating his continued impact by leading the NFL with five forced fumbles, alongside five sacks and 29 total tackles. His season was not without injury concerns, as he dealt with hamstring and wrist issues in December 2025, being listed as 'week-to-week' and missing some practice time.
As of March 10, 2026, Joey Bosa is an unrestricted free agent. The Buffalo Bills are reportedly facing salary cap limitations and are expected to prioritize younger players, making a new deal for Bosa unlikely. There is widespread speculation that Bosa, now 30 years old, is a strong candidate to sign with the San Francisco 49ers, which would reunite him with his younger brother, Nick Bosa. This move is seen as mutually beneficial, allowing Joey to play for a contender and potentially on a moderate, incentive-laden contract. Other teams like the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens have also been mentioned as potential landing spots. His 2025 performance, particularly leading the league in forced fumbles, suggests he still has significant value as a pass rusher, even if his sack numbers have dipped in recent years.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Joseph Anthony Bosa made different choices?