Joey Bosa
NFL player. Position: Edge Rusher. Team: Free Agent (formerly Buffalo Bills, 2025; San Diego Chargers, 2016-2024).
Quick Facts
- Position: EDGE / DE
- Team: Free Agent (as of June 2026)
- Status: Considering retirement; likely done playing
2026 Outlook
Joey Bosa appears to be on the verge of retirement after 10 NFL seasons. ESPN's Adam Schefter stated in late June 2026 that "it is more likely than not that Joey Bosa has played his last NFL down." The 30-year-old edge rusher has spent the offseason focused on golf rather than pursuing free agency options, signaling disengagement from football despite potential opportunity to play alongside his brother Nick with the 49ers. (per Joey Bosa retirement rumors: Five-time Pro Bowler might be done with the NFL after 10 seasons)
Injury durability has been a defining challenge throughout Bosa's career. Over 10 seasons, he has missed games due to injury in seven of those seasons, including groin tears, foot sprains, hip injuries, and persistent hamstring issues. His most recent season (2025) with the Buffalo Bills saw him contribute five sacks and lead the NFL with five forced fumbles, but a lingering hamstring injury limited his total impact. Prior to recent years, his best production came in 2021 (10.5 sacks) at age 26; from 2022-2024, he averaged just 4.67 sacks per season due to injury interruptions.
Despite remaining productive when healthy—he delivered elite forced-fumble metrics (five in 2025) and was the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year—the combination of age 30, career-long injury history, and apparent disinterest in the offseason makes a return to the NFL unlikely for 2026 and beyond.
Despite retirement speculation, USA Today still ranked Bosa as the #4 remaining free agent available as of late June 2026, noting that while his injury durability remains a concern, he "is at least worthy of a rotational spot somewhere to help rush the passer" given his 2025 performance (15 games started, 5 forced fumbles, 5 sacks). The gap between his market availability and his apparent lack of interest suggests his NFL future hinges on whether any team makes a compelling offer. (per Top remaining NFL free agents: Samuel Diggs among best players available)
Role / Depth Chart
Free agent. If he were to return, would likely fill a reserve or situational pass-rush role given age and recent production trends.
Injury Status
Recurring hamstring issues (2025). Persistent injury history (groin 2022, foot 2023, hip 2024, hamstring 2025) over the last four seasons.
Recent News
- 2026-05-28 — Nick Bosa says he is on track for training camp and Week 1 with the 49ers (Nick Bosa says he is on track for training camp and Week 1 with the 49ers)
- 2026-05-28 — 49ers' Bosa making progress, could be back for training camp (49ers' Bosa making progress, could be back for training camp)
- 2026-05-22 — Top Free Agent Landing Spots For DE Joey Bosa (Top Free Agent Landing Spots For DE Joey Bosa)
- 2026-03-29 — What we learned from John Lynch: Latest on Trent Williams, George Kittle, and Joey Bosa (What we learned from John Lynch: Latest on Trent Williams, George Kittle, and Joey Bosa)
- 2026-03-14 — 49ers free agency: 10 areas still to watch, including Bosa brothers, Trent Williams’... (49ers free agency: 10 areas still to watch, including Bosa brothers, Trent Williams’...)
- 2026-05-28 — 49ers’ Nick Bosa on track for training camp but not rushing recovery: OTA notebook -... (49ers’ Nick Bosa on track for training camp but not rushing recovery: OTA notebook -...)
- 2026-06-26 — 49ers news: Adam Schefter believes Joey Bosa has played his last down in the NFL (49ers news: Adam Schefter believes Joey Bosa has played his last down in the NFL)
- 2026-06-25 — Joey Bosa retirement rumors: Five-time Pro Bowler might be done with the NFL after 10... (Joey Bosa retirement rumors: Five-time Pro Bowler might be done with the NFL after 10...)
- 2026-06-25 — Joey Bosa retirement rumors: Five-time Pro Bowler might be done with the NFL after 10 seasons (Joey Bosa retirement rumors: Five-time Pro Bowler might be done with the NFL after 10 seasons)
- 2026-06-24 — Report: Joey Bosa has 'more likely than not' played his final NFL snap (Report: Joey Bosa has 'more likely than not' played his final NFL snap)