NFL insider echoes what a lot of people are saying about Joey Bosa's future with the Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are nowhere even close to the same salary cap situation it was in at this point last year, but the team still has a big decision to make when it comes to Joey Bosa's future in L.A. At this point, it's up in the air. Bosa is coming off a year in […]
The Los Angeles Chargers are nowhere even close to the same salary cap situation it was in at this point last year, but the team still has a big decision to make when it comes to Joey Bosa's future in L.A.
At this point, it's up in the air. Bosa is coming off a year in which he recorded the second-lowest sack total of his career despite playing the most defensive snaps since 2021. He was actually called for penalties (7) than he had QB takedowns (5.0) in 2024.
His pass rush productivity rate of 9.4% out of a true pass set ranked 38th out of 62 qualifying EDGE players with at least 315 pass rush snaps on the year, per Pro Football Focus. He did manage an 18.8% win rate, which finished 20th, but the splash plays weren't there.
A big reason for Bosa's drop off in production is injury. He's missed 23 games over the last three seasons, including three in 2024. He's also played 37% or less of defensive snaps in an additional 10 games over that span thanks to some kind of injury issue that limited him or forced him to leave a game early.
All that, plus this being the final year of Bosa's contract, puts the onus on the Chargers to drastically rework his contract or release him and ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler echoed that in his latest column:
Los Angeles either needs to move on from Joey Bosa or rework his contract. His $36.5 million cap hit is untenable, and the team can save $25.4 million by releasing him. – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
It makes too much sense to release Bosa opposed to reworking his contract
The Chargers need to go ahead and part ways. First and foremost, the team will open up $25.360 million in cap room (Fowler rounded up) by releasing him, which would give them more than $80 million in effective cap space. That would bump the Chargers up to third when it comes to effective cap room.
A release, as opposed to a restructure, makes more sense because a restructure means the Chargers would just kick the can down the road via void years, as opposed to just raking in the savings, now. An extension also doesn't make sense due to Bosa's age (he will enter his age-30 season in 2025), injury history, and lack of production. Plus, this is likely his last shot at an expensive, multi-year deal, so he's not going to go easy on the Chargers when it comes to his price tag.
And let's just be real: What Bosa has ever made it easy on his employer when it comes to contract negoations?
A trade is also an option, although it's the most unlikely out of all these scenarios. Why would a team trade for Bosa when it's likely he'll get released and it won't have to give up draft capital and take on his current contract?
The Chargers and Bosa have accomplished a lot together over the years, but it looks the relationship has run its course. We'll certainly find out, soon enough. Especially since Bosa is due a $12.36 million roster bonus when the new league year begins on March 12.
