Joey Bosa is coming off a strong bounce-back season with the Buffalo Bills, but the five-time Pro Bowler is struggling to find a new team. The former third-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Bosa used to be one of the game’s most unstoppable threats on the edge. From 2016 to 2021, the Ohio State product averaged 12.5 sacks, 63 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, and 28 quarterback hits per 17 games. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just 14 games from 2022 to 2023, and the Chargers cut him following the 2024 season.
This forced Bosa to sign a one-year, prove-it deal with Buffalo in 2025. While he didn’t recapture his previous form, he still finished the year with five sacks, nine tackles-for-loss, a league-best five forced fumbles, and a respectable 74.6 PFF grade, the 29th-best mark out of 119 eligible players. Joey Bosa may no longer be a perennial Pro Bowler anymore, but the Ohio State product is good enough to help any team looking to bolster its pass rush.
With the NFL Draft over and most big-name free agents already signed to new teams, it’s only a matter of time before someone gives Joey Bosa a chance. ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently named him the third-best free agent on the market, and the following three teams could kick the tires on the former superstar.
3 Teams That Could Sign Free Agent Pass Rusher Joey Bosa
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings need another pass rusher after trading Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles. The trade itself was inevitable, as Minnesota didn’t have the financial ability to keep him on the roster. However, now that he’s gone, the Vikings must find someone else who can support this defensive line. Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner are adequate starters, but neither one is anything special at this phase in their respective career. Joey Bosa might not have All-Pro potential anymore, but he’d be a great part of this rotation and could have a career season with defensive coordinator Brian Flores calling the shots. Minnesota must make the playoffs to avoid a regime change, and Bosa’s presence will improve a defense that will likely need to compensate for a questionable quarterback room.
San Francisco 49ers
If any team knows about the need for reliable depth, it’s the San Francisco 49ers. Year after year, the team endures a shocking number of injuries yet still finds a way to remain competitive. This year, the team’s primary focus should be on ensuring they have enough options to survive a full 17-game season. Nick Bosa is currently recovering from a torn ACL, so why shouldn’t Kyle Shanahan and company bring in his brother as added depth? In a perfect world, both brothers will stay healthy and form one of the game’s most unstoppable pass rush duos. However, if Nick needs more time to recover, Joey is more than capable of representing the Bosa name and helping the 49ers compete in one of the league’s toughest divisions.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens entered the offseason looking to address the pass rush. First-year head coach Jesse Minter knew this team needed someone capable of getting after the quarterback, and they ultimately signed Trey Hendrickson after the Maxx Crosby trade fell apart. While Hendrickson will provide a much-needed boost to the front seven, he might not be the only addition this team makes. Baltimore reportedly discussed the possibility of pairing Crosby with Hendrickson, which shows they still want another pass rusher. Joey Bosa is not Maxx Crosby, but the veteran is still an above-average starter who could be a breath of fresh air for this defense.