Entering the 2026 NFL offseason, the San Francisco 49ers had two major needs to address, one on each side of the ball.
The first need was wide receiver, which they addressed with the blockbuster signing of Mike Evans. While they could still use more depth, the 49ers have time to find such an option. But, they have to address the other need: pass rusher.
Amid such a need, ESPN's Bill Barnwell linked the 49ers to Buffalo Bills free agent Pro Bowl edge rusher, Joey Bosa, as an "obvious" fit. Bosa could link up with Nick Bosa and form a fun brother pass-rushing duo next season if this deal happens.
49ers linked to Joey Bosa in 'obvious' fit
"It's the obvious call, right?" Barnwell writes. "The 49ers are a team that's very comfortable taking aggressive swings on talented players with upside, even if that upside comes with injury concerns."
The 49ers adding Bosa to create a Bosa-brother pass-rushing duo would be one of the more fun storylines of the offseason around the NFL.
As Barnwell noted, this is an obvious fit. The 49ers need pass-rusher help, and Bosa, the 30-year-old veteran, is looking for a new landing spot this offseason.
However, there's a reason that Bosa is still unsigned after the initial waves of free agency have passed: there are realistic injury concerns with the five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher.
He played in 15 games for the Bills this past season, and 14 the year before for the Los Angeles Chargers. He missed a few games, but overall, he was on the field enough to justify a singing.
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However, in 2023, he played in just nine games, and in 2022, he played in just five. Back in 2018, he made just seven appearances, and overall, he's missed a lot of time since his rookie season.
And even though he played most of the 2025 season for the Bills, a hamstring injury kept him from being an impact player, as he didn't record a sack down the stretch of the season from December onwards.
But Bosa is still the kind of player the 49ers should take a chance on. He had five forced fumbles and five sacks last season, and in his NFL career, he has 77 total tackles.
While he might not be as good as he once was, he could have a career renaissance playing alongside his brother on the 49ers' defense.
Barnwell naming the 49ers as a top fit for Bosa makes too much sense. This connection is an obvious one, but it's more than just a way for brothers to play for the same team. It would be a high-upside signing for the 49ers this offseason if it happened.
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