Joey Bosa appears well on his way to being a cap casualty for the LA Chargers. Bosa is a big name but his production and durability do no warrant the $36.4 million salary-cap hit he will have if he is on the roster in 2025.
Bosa's fate as a cap casualty may not be cemented, though. In a perfect world, the Chargers would be able to trade the Pro Bowl edge rusher to a team in need. The Chargers would not get premium draft capital back but could at least get something for Bosa.
It may seem unlikely but keep in mind the Chargers were able to trade one year of Keenan Allen (albeit off a career year) for a fourth-round pick. With a desperate team potentially wanting to keep Bosa from the San Francisco 49ers, and due to the fact his cap hit would be just $25.36 million for his new team, there absolutely could be a trade market for the Chargers.
3 Joey Bosa trade packages the Chargers should pursue:
1. Trading Joey Bosa to the Detroit Lions
- Chargers receive: 133rd pick in 2025 NFL Draft
- Lions receive: Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa makes all the sense in the world for the Detroit Lions this offseason. Detroit would benefit greatly from adding another edge rusher alongside Aidan Hutchinson and Bosa is a one-year rental with no long-term commitment.
The edge rusher free-agent class is not so deep and the Lions are not in a position to draft a premier edge rusher who will have an impact right away. What Detroit really needs is a stopgap option that can help them contend for a Super Bowl in the immediate future while also allowing the team to re-evaluate after the 2025 season.
Bosa is that option and with $51.8 million in projected cap space, the Lions can absolutely afford to pay Bosa $25.36 million. Plus, Detroit could eventually get a day-three compensatory pick back in the 2027 NFL Draft if Bosa leaves after the 2025 season (which is true for any team on t
2. Trading Joey Bosa to the Green Bay Packers
- Chargers receive: 123rd pick in 2025 NFL Draft
- Packers receive: Joey Bosa
Another NFC North team needs to add an edge rusher and has the cap space to absorb Bosa.
The Green Bay Packers have been named a potential landing spot for Khalil Mack but with the Chargers prioritizing bringing Mack back, the team can instead send the Packers its other edge rusher to fill the void.
The same logic exists for the Packers as the Lions as to why a Bosa trade makes sense. This allows the Packers to fill the void in the short term while keeping future doors open. For a team like Green Bay, it is better to spend the cap space on a one-year flier versus committing multiple years to someone who may not be a great fit.
3. Trading Joey Bosa to the New England Patriots
- Chargers receive: 145th pick
- Patriots receive: Joey Bosa
If there is any team that can afford Joey Bosa this offseason, it's the New England Patriots. New England has over $128 million in projected cap space this offseason, which is $28.5 million more than second place.
To the Patriots, Bosa's $25.36 million cap hit would be a drop in the bucket. The Patriots can trade for Bosa and still have the most cap space in the entire NFL.
The Patriots may not be a top-tier contender looking to cash in on a Super Bowl window like the Lions, but they are a team on the upswing with a legitimate franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. New England should be taking advantage of Maye's rookie contract window, which may include taking a swing for Bosa.
The Patriots undoubtedly need to add an edge rusher this offseason and Bosa would be a good short-term addition. It's probably better for the Patriots to pay Bosa just over $25 million for one year rather than overspend for one of the mid-tier edge rushers in free agency.
By doing so, the Pats can still draft an edge rusher to develop while also maintaining future cap flexibility. For the cost of a fifth-round pick, it's worth the swing.