NFL insider reveals former Ohio State star pass rusher may have played his last down after 10 seasons in the league
Joey Bosa has enjoyed a productive career in the NFL and at Ohio State, but it appears that his football playing days are behind him. ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported that Bosa has more than likely played his last down in the NFL.
Joey Bosa, the former Ohio State defensive end and No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft, appears to have reached the end of his NFL career.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the 5-time Pro Bowler has likely played his last down in the league after 10 seasons. Bosa leaves behind an accomplished resume that includes an NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
“It is more likely than not that Joey Bosa has played his last NFL down,” Schefter said on his podcast. “Now, again, could a situation like the 49ers come along that entices him enough to come out and play again? Yeah, absolutely. We saw it happen last year with Philip Rivers, so you never know when a player is fully done and when he’s not done. But the fact of the matter is, I think if the Niners wanted to pair those two together, it probably would have happened already. I think if Joey Bosa wanted to play football, it probably would have happened already.”
Bosa was originally selected by the then-San Diego Chargers, where he spent nine seasons before finishing with the Buffalo Bills in 2025. The 6-foot-6 and 275-pound edge rusher is the son of former NFL player John Bosa. He’s the older brother of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, who also played for the Buckeyes.
Bosa’s career was defined by elite production and persistent injury
The truth is that Bosa’s career tells two stories. When healthy, few pass rushers in the league could match his impact. He earned Pro Bowl selections in 2017, 2019 through 2021, and 2024, posting multiple campaigns with double-digit sacks. His 2016 rookie season remains one of the best debut campaigns for a defensive end in recent NFL history, earning him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Injuries have been the bane of Bosa’s football existence for the majority of his NFL career. He was limited to 12 games or fewer in five of his 10 seasons in the league. The damage really started to compound in 2022. Bosa was limited to just 14 games over two seasons due to groin, foot, hamstring, and toe injuries. His production dipped as his body broke down. While he led the NFL in forced fumbles (5) during his final season in Buffalo, the overall production told the story of a player whose athleticism had been sapped by years of wear and tear.
If this is truly the end, Bosa will finish his NFL career with 372 total tackles, 77 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and five passes deflected.
Bosa was a force at Ohio State before becoming an NFL star
Before his professional career, Bosa was a dominant force at Ohio State, where he played three seasons and won a national championship in 2014. He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and earned two-time Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2014 and 2015. He was also a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection in those seasons.
In 38 career games with the Buckeyes, Bosa recorded 148 combined tackles, 50.5 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, one interception, six passes defended, two fumble recoveries, and five forced fumbles, along with a fumble recovery touchdown.
What comes next for the veteran pass rusher?
Bosa will be 31 years old at the start of the 2026 NFL season. He’s one of the most appealing veteran free agent pass rushers remaining on the market. However, Schefter’s report suggests that the window has closed. The biggest factor working against him is the cumulative toll of injuries that limited his availability and eroded his productivity over the past several seasons.
Unless Joey decides to join forces with his brother Nick in San Francisco, or a contending team coaxes him into a midseason roster addition, it appears Bosa will sit out. The one thing missing from Bosa’s resume is a Super Bowl championship. If the perfect opportunity to chase a ring never materializes, he can ride off into the sunset having enjoyed an accomplished career as both a college football star at Ohio State and a productive NFL pass rusher with the Chargers and Bills.