NFL Analysis
2/19/25
6 min read
Top Landing Spots for Los Angeles Chargers EDGE Rusher Joey Bosa If Released
The Los Angeles Chargers are losing some key veterans this offseason, and star pass rusher Joey Bosa could be another one of those departures.
ESPN's Dan Graziano reported on Wednesday that the most likely outcome is that the Chargers will cut Bosa heading into free agency. With a $36 million cap hit for 2025 and a $12 million roster bonus due in March, the Chargers could save $25 million in cap space by cutting the five-time Pro Bowler.
It's not like the Chargers are strapped for cash this offseason; they have more than $65 million in cap space available. However, by saving another $25 million in the form of cutting Bosa, the Chargers could take a big swing on a younger pass rusher and focus on building a more complete playoff contender around Justin Herbert.
Bosa still has plenty left in the tank as a 29-year-old who recorded five sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 games this past season. While he won't command top-of-market money, given his injury history in recent years, there are plenty of teams who could be interested in his services. Let's take a look at a few of the most likely landing spots if the Chargers end up cutting him.
Joey Bosa Landing Spots
Detroit Lions 
Aidan Hutchinson is one of the best pass rushers in the league, but once he went down with his gruesome leg injury last season, the Detroit Lions struggled to find a consistent and reliable pass-rushing option.
The Lions even made a deadline trade for Za'Darius Smith, who had a solid impact through nine games, generating 40 pressures. However, there were still some limitations for the 32-year-old EDGE, who could start to slow down with age sooner instead of later.
Even if Smith continues to play at a high level, EDGE depth should be a priority for Detroit this offseason, especially with Marcus Davenport hitting free agency. The Lions have $55 million in cap space to work with before cuts and restructures, so taking a swing on a starting-caliber EDGE on the other side of Hutchinson could do a lot of good for an already-talented defense.
Arizona Cardinals
Outside of J.J. Watt's final few NFL seasons, the Arizona Cardinals haven't had a premier pass rusher in years. In fact, the last player in Arizona to rack up more than 60 pressures was Chandler Jones in 2019.
That could change with a healthy Bosa season in Arizona.
The Cardinals need to be in the market for a top pass rusher. Zaven Collins led the team with just 31 pressures this past season, with Arizona ranking 28th in ESPN's pass rush win rate. Despite that lack of pass-rush productivity, the Cardinals managed to have an above-average defense, ranking 14th in defensive DVOA.
Adding a couple of proven pass rushers could make Arizona a legitimate top-10 defense, and it has the resources to make that a reality. Along with the 16th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cardinals have $63.5 million in cap space.
The opportunity to be the No. 1 pass-rushing option, along with a potentially sizable long-term deal, could make Arizona a top option for Bosa in free agency.
Chicago bears
It's a new era in Chicago with the Bears hiring Ben Johnson as their head coach, and he hasn't been shy about loading his new coaching staff with proven coaches.
New Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen brings an aggressive and attacking mentality to his defensive scheme, but that also requires a unit that can consistently generate pressure with a four-man rush.
Montez Sweat is a solid No. 1 option, and DeMarcus Walker has shown some consistency at getting after the quarterback, but there are questions about their depth with Darrell Taylor and Jacob Martin hitting free agency.
Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles can use their draft capital to keep surrounding Caleb Williams with talent on offense while using some of their nearly $65 million in cap space to add to the trenches. Bosa should be a top target if he becomes available as a proven pass rusher who won't break the bank, giving the Bears some long-term flexibility at EDGE while still getting after quarterbacks in 2025.
Las Vegas Raiders
If Bosa isn't happy with how things are ending in Los Angeles, he'd have an opportunity to get revenge on his old team twice a year by signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders already have a No. 1 pass rusher in Maxx Crosby, and Tyree Wilson is slowly coming along as a running mate. However, the depth could fall off of a cliff this offseason, with key contributors like K'Lavon Chaisson and Malcolm Koonce hitting free agency.
There's also significant speculation regarding a potential Crosby trade. While nothing has been stated publicly, that kind of move would make a veteran pass rusher a top-tier need for the Raiders, even if they're attempting to rebuild around whoever their next quarterback will be.
Bosa is a proven EDGE who is still in the middle of his prime as long as he can stay healthy, and the Raiders have plenty of money to spend if they want to add another pass rusher, regardless of their plans with Crosby's future.
San Francisco 49ers
The opportunity to play with his brother could be an awfully tempting proposition for Bosa.
Nick Bosa has continued to be a star for the San Francisco 49ers defense, but the team has had to rely on journeyman veterans to play alongside him. The result is Bosa leading the team with 69 pressures in 2024, but only two other players having 25 or more pressures in Maliek Collins (45) and Leonard Floyd (44).
While Floyd looks like a solid running mate with the younger Bosa, the team severely lacks pass-rushing depth for a defense that's been so intimidating for so many years. Adding Joey Bosa to the pass-rushing rotation could easily change that, and the 49ers have enough cap flexibility in 2025 to look into a short-term deal for their franchise pass rusher's older brother.
The asking price may be a bit higher than other options, and Joey may want to play a more focal point on a contender, but the chance to get after the quarterback with his brother could make San Francisco an appealing landing spot.
