An up-and-down tenure with the LA Chargers may soon be coming to an end for Joey Bosa. Bosa, who has missed more games than he has played the last three seasons, is due for a $34.6 million cap hit in 2025 and is a prime cut candidate even for a team with cap space.
If Bosa was durable and playing at a high level then it would be easier for the Chargers to stomach the high cap hit. However, Bosa was middle of the road in 2024 and is not worth the lofty price tag attached to his name.
It would be a legitimate surprise to many — potentially including his own family — if Bosa sticks around in Los Angeles next season. With Nick Bosa up in San Francisco, the 49ers will definitely be a potential landing spot for Joey Bosa if his Chargers tenure ends.
Bosa's mother added fuel to this fire on social media over the weekend. Cheryl Bosa shared a photoshopped image of Joey and Nick wearing 49ers uniforms together with an emoji that seemingly approves of the idea.
It seems more likely Joey Bosa will be on the 49ers than the Chargers in 2025
Bosa's departure from the Chargers may be all but guaranteed but him going up north to the Bay Area is not guaranteed. There will inevitably be a list of teams interested in bringing in Bosa, some of which may have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl.
That being said, the 49ers have the cap space to pay Bosa fair-market value and may even outbid other teams in the running. San Francisco currently has $43.6 million in projected cap space this offseason, which is more than enough to bring Bosa in.
Brock Purdy may get an extension this offseason but that would not impact his 2025 cap hit much. Deebo Samuel may also be traded but that would actually free up $5.1 million in cap space if it happens after June 1.
The stars are aligning for Joey Bosa to play with his brother and there is no denying that his family wants to see it. The 49ers have the salary-cap space and a need for another edge rusher, so there should be interest in San Francisco's camp as well.
The only thing keeping Bosa from the 49ers is the Chargers. It may be unlikely but the Chargers could opt to keep Bosa around at his elevated cap hit with the hopes of him regaining his elite form.
Either way, the Chargers will likely make a decision sooner rather than later to give Bosa a head start on deciding his future. That is the least the team can do after he took a pay cut last offseason.