Last offseason, the Buffalo Bills made a strategic shift, moving from Von Miller to bringing in Joey Bosa on a more budget-friendly, one-year deal. The move carried minimal risk and plenty of upside. Miller, initially expected to be the Bills' game-changer after signing in 2022, faced setbacks following a torn ACL on Thanksgiving, leading to a dip in performance and eventually his release.
Fast forward to March of last year, and the Bills inked Bosa to a one-year, $12.6 million contract. While fans were understandably concerned about Bosa’s injury history with the Chargers, he delivered an impressive season, leading the NFL in forced fumbles with five.
His pass rush consistently created pressure, though the sack numbers didn't always reflect his impact. With Jim Leonhard stepping in as the new defensive coordinator, Bosa's return to Buffalo seems unlikely.
The possibility of Bosa being a one-season wonder in Buffalo opens up the question of where he might land next.
Joey Bosa Eyeing a Move to Join Brother Nick with the 49ers?
Greg Auman from FOX Sports suggests that Bosa might be heading back to California, potentially signing with the San Francisco 49ers, where his brother Nick Bosa is a standout.
"With just two playoff wins in a decade, could Joey consider taking a pay cut to team up with Nick on the 49ers and make a serious postseason run? Buffalo's current cap situation makes it challenging to retain Bosa, and they might opt to go younger," Auman notes.
The 49ers were previously interested in Bosa, but he chose Buffalo at the time. Now, the chance to join his brother in the NFC West could be too tempting to pass up. Seeing Joey and Nick on the same defensive line would be quite the spectacle.
Currently, Bosa's market value is pegged at $13.7 million, slightly above what the Bills paid him. While a return to Buffalo isn't out of the question, the introduction of a new defensive scheme and the need to address other roster gaps might lead the Bills to develop Landon Jackson or seek another veteran who fits Leonhard’s vision.