NFL insider links Lions to Pro Bowl edge rusher whose name might be bigger than his impact
The Lions need to pass on this one
We’re three weeks from free agency, and this is expected to be a big one for the Detroit Lions. Before we get there, a lot of media is going to be linking players to the Lions, and some will fit, and others will miss the mark.
ESPN believes the Lions are the best fit for edge rusher Joey Bosa
Ok, so why does Bowen choose the Lions for Bosa? Here’s his reasoning:
“The Lions had 16 sacks on third down last season (tied for 15th most in the league), so Detroit could add Bosa to elevate its sub-package pass rush. Bosa fits well opposite Aidan Hutchinson with his speed-to-power production and the effort level to clean up late in plays.”
Let’s really dig into this idea. For starters, Bosa was one of the league’s best edge rushers not too long ago. He is not that guy anymore. He is now just a recognizable name. He’ll be 31 when the season starts, and he’s coming off a season that’s not very impressive.
Let’s break down the the resonsing. We’ll start with third down, where Bosa accounted for 21 pressures and a sack last year. For comparison sake, Al-Quadin Muhammad had 30 pressures and four sacks on third down in 2025. If the idea is that the Lions need a guy who gets home on third down, Bosa doesn’t really fit that mold.
The Lions also prefer players who are good against the run. This has never been something Bosa has been great at, but 2025 was by far his worst season against the run. Pro Football Focus graded him out at 52.0. That was his career low.
Even more alarming than that was his 26.5 tackle grade. Bosa missed 14 tackles in 2025. That’s eighth among all edge rushers in the NFL, and that was his career high. Not to keep comparing him to Muhammad, but he only missed four tackles in 2025.
If the argument was to sign Bosa in 2021, then the Lions should sprint to the phone. But that’s not the case. Bosa is likely nearing the end of his career, and while he might sell some jerseys in Detroit, he’s not going to be much help on the field. This is one Detroit should pass on.
