As a major roster overhaul, the Los Angeles Chargers parted with five-time Pro Bowl and longtime stalwart of the team’s defense, defensive end Joey Bosa, in a decision announced on March 5, 2025. This action is chiefly precipitated by salary cap management as well as a recent bout with injury.
Financial Implications
Bosa, 29, was to have a high cap hit of more than $36 million for the 2025 season. In letting him go, the Chargers free up around $25.36 million of cap space, even though they will have to pay an $11.111 million dead money charge. The money move gives the team more flexibility to tend to other roster issues in next year’s offseason.
Career Highlights and Injury Concerns
He was originally picked third overall in the 2016 NFL Draft and immediately made an impact by winning the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award with 10.5 sacks and 41 tackles. The all-time second leading in team history in the nine years he spent with the Chargers, he had 72 sacks, along with being a five-time Pro Bowl pick, including one in 2024.
Bosa, however, has had to contend with injuries in his professional life for the past few seasons. During a stretch of 2022-2024, he played in just 23 of 51 games because of problems with his groin, foot, hamstring, toe, back, and hip. His availability was one of the factors that kept the Chargers from retaining the aging pass rusher.
However, even with the burden of several injury records, Bosa would still prove a great asset to many defenses, thus probably generating interest from multiple franchises in securing his services. It would also spark a possible reunion with 49ers star Nick Bosa, as this would place him on a team with purportedly one of the best edge rushers in the league. The 49ers are looking for a proven edge rusher, and the Bosa brothers have expressed a preference to play together as well. Making it happen would require plenty of roster gymnastics and salary cap gymnastics.
Chargers’ Defensive Perspective
Bosa’s departure marks a transitional era for the Chargers’ defense. The Chargers will likely seek replacements via free agency or the NFL Draft. Targets could include pass rushers such as Josh Sweat, but issues of performance consistency and value of contract will guide such moves.
The release of Joey Bosa signals the conclusion of an era for the Los Angeles Chargers. His work over the last nine years has played a critical role in defining the defensive identity of the team. As both Bosa and the Chargers set off on new journeys, the NFL world will watch with great interest the effect of this move on the coming season.
