Joey Bosa was brought to Buffalo on a one-year “prove-it” deal - and it’s safe to say he’s proved it.
After three injury-plagued seasons that clouded the end of his run with the Chargers, Bosa has bounced back in a big way with the Bills. He’s been healthy for most of the year, and more importantly, he’s been impactful - a key piece in a defense that’s weathered injuries and still managed to help Buffalo punch its ticket to the postseason for the seventh straight year.
This version of Bosa looks a lot like the one who terrorized quarterbacks early in his career: explosive off the edge, disruptive in both phases, and relentless with his motor. He’s not just filling a role - he’s been a tone-setter. And for a Bills team with Super Bowl aspirations, getting that kind of production on a short-term deal has been a steal.
But here’s the catch: that bargain won’t last.
Bosa is headed for free agency after the season, and if his 2025 campaign is any indication, he’s going to have a long line of suitors. He’s on a $12.61 million salary this year - a number that’s likely to spike once he hits the open market.
And for a Bills team currently sitting 27th in projected 2026 cap space, retaining him won’t be simple. They’ll need to get creative with the books or make some tough roster decisions if they want to keep him in Buffalo long-term.
That’s easier said than done. The Bills already have pressing needs elsewhere - wide receiver being one of them - and with Josh Allen still in his prime, every dollar counts when it comes to building a championship-caliber roster around their MVP quarterback.
Let’s talk production, because Bosa’s numbers tell a pretty clear story. Through Week 16, he’s racked up 27 tackles (eight for loss), five sacks, and two pass deflections.
But the stat that jumps off the page? Five forced fumbles - the most in the NFL.
He’s been a nightmare for offensive tackles and quarterbacks alike, and the advanced metrics back it up.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bosa ranks seventh out of 112 edge defenders in pass-rushing grade (88.9). He’s also top 15 in quarterback hits (12) and has 28 hurries to his name, good for 30th in the league. That’s consistent, high-level pressure - the kind that changes games and keeps offensive coordinators up at night.
And he’s not just making noise in the pass rush. Bosa has been a force against the run as well, tied for seventh in ESPN’s run stop win rate among edge defenders (29 percent).
That kind of versatility only makes him more valuable. He’s not a pass-rush specialist or a situational player - he’s a full-time, all-down disruptor.
So what happens next?
That’s the looming question in Buffalo. Bosa has shown he still has elite football in him.
He’s helped stabilize a defense that needed a lift. And he’s done it all on a short-term deal that’s about to expire.
If the Bills want to keep this partnership going, they’ll need to make room - and fast - because Bosa’s market is going to be hot.
For now, though, the focus stays on the playoff push. Buffalo is in the dance, and Bosa is a big reason why. But come the offseason, the front office will have a tough decision to make: pay up to keep a game-wrecker, or risk watching him walk out the door.