Joey Bosa could be in line to make significantly less than what he's used to during the 2025 NFL season, should he wind up with the 49ers or Miami Dolphins.
San Francisco and Miami each have made offers to the free-agent defensive end that are in the "same relative price range" and would pay him less than $10 million in 2025, The Athletic's Michael Silver reported Monday.
While the idea of playing alongside his brother Nick Bosa on the 49ers reportedly is appealing to Joey, who was released by the Los Angeles Chargers last week in a cost-cutting move, it's no surprise the Dolphins also are interested in adding the five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher if the price is right.
Joey's release saved the Chargers north of $25 million against their cap space in 2025, as he was on a two-year contract worth $40.3 million and set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. And despite his injury history, the 2016 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year remains one of the most talented players available in NFL free agency.
Even though the Dolphins and 49ers reportedly have offered Joey similar figures, Miami likely faces an uphill climb in acquiring the older Bosa brother. Their mom openly has campaigned for Joey to join Nick in the Bay, and Nick admitted the idea was one that interested him last offseason.
"I did, yeah. It was fun to think about," Bosa told reporters in July. "I think he wanted to stick with the [Chargers] and be a part of hopefully their turning it around. I think they have the people to do it, but haven't really had everything come together. So yeah, I'm excited, he's been there for a long time, so it would be a shame if he left when they turned it around."
Before Nick's dreams could become a reality, Joey eventually worked out a restructured contract to stay in Los Angeles, taking a pay cut from $22 million to $15 million on the heels of back-to-back injury riddled seasons.
The Chargers ultimately ended the 2024 season with a wild-card round loss to the Houston Texans, and now, Joey is off their roster.
And if the numbers are all it comes down to, it would seem San Francisco has the advantage.
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