All signs point to Joey Bosa being a cap casualty for the LA Chargers this offseason. The Chargers do not necessarily need to create cap space by getting rid of Bosa but his bloated $36.4 million cap hit does not match his current level of production.
The San Francisco 49ers are the obvious frontrunners to sign Bosa if he is cut by the Chargers. San Francisco could use another edge rusher, has the cap space to sign Bosa, and has the ultimate carrot to dangle in the opportunity to reunite the Bosa brothers.
Bosa won't immediately jump ship and sign with the 49ers if the Chargers cut him, though. If Chargers fans know one thing, it is that Bosa will take his time to find the deal and situation that makes the most sense for him. This is the same player who held out on his rookie contract. Bosa will undoubtedly explore the market and get the most out of his newfound free agency.
While doing so, Bosa may find a team that is more intriguing than the 49ers. Realistically, though, there is probably only one team that could keep Bosa from going to the Bay Area.
Detroit Lions are the perfect team to swipe Chargers' Joey Bosa from the 49ers
The Detroit Lions may not have Nick Bosa on the roster but they have one of the best young edge rushers in the sport, Aidan Hutchinson. Even with Hutchinson on the roster, one of the Lions' biggest offseason needs is a pass-rushing edge rusher who could bolster the team's rotation.
Bosa fits that billing and would be one of the biggest names on the market if he was released by the Chargers. With no other significant offseason needs that will cost much, the Lions can commit a sizeable chunk of salary to Bosa, even if it is on a one-year fully guaranteed prove-it deal.
The Lions have $51.8 million in projected cap space this offseason, which is just a hair over the $50.6 million the 49ers have. While the cap figures are similar, the 49ers have several prominent free agents the team may look to re-sign, a Deebo Samuel trade request that would actually cost the team money (if done before June 1), and a potential Brock Purdy contract situation.
There are a lot of moving parts in San Francisco, so much so that going after Bosa may fall through the cracks. San Francisco would undoubtedly be interested in adding the second Bosa brother but the team may not have the resources to give him the same lofty fully guaranteed one-year deal the Lions can.
Of course, the No. 1 dealbreaker for the Lions could be Nick Bosa. Joey Bosa could still throw all of these other factors out the window for the chance to play for his brother.
But when it comes down to Bosa finding the best place to contend for a Super Bowl and get paid, the Lions have an obvious advantage over the 49ers.